1
as in stench
a strong unpleasant smell
the stink of burned plastic lingered in the kitchen for days after we accidentally melted a spatula on the stove
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in objection
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent
many town residents raised an unholy stink about the proposal to increase taxes yet again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stink
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
The shawl collar gives extra warmth and padding, and otherwise creates a dignified look—like a smoking jacket without the stink.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 2 Feb. 2026
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2026
Gym clothes can stink to high heaven after an intense workout session, long run, or hike through the woods.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stink
Noun
The display left even more of a stink given the history of the Jewish State at the Games and the Munich 1972 hostage massacre.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
The shawl collar gives extra warmth and padding, and otherwise creates a dignified look—like a smoking jacket without the stink.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 2 Feb. 2026
Verb
The idea of a college athlete who has played for three or four different universities stinks.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2026
Gym clothes can stink to high heaven after an intense workout session, long run, or hike through the woods.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stink
Noun
-
Here, mismatched buildings sprawl under the heavy stench of diesel and rising humidity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In the meantime, the stench around the Canucks will linger.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The moral objections to looksmaxxing are numerous, severe, and obvious.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Tillis went to the Senate floor shortly afterward and passed a resolution, with no objections, to place the plaque on the Senate side.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mice know cats can smell them, and cats emit chemicals that terrify mice.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Spring flowers smell like fish.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Like Kevin Flynn, his being is being sucked into a technological space.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Parents report school-age children wetting the bed again, sucking their thumbs and experiencing frequent night terrors.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Navajo Nation is the lone exception in Arizona.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Even the biggest indie acts of the last 15 years or so tend to be solo singer-songwriters masquerading as bands, but Brooklyn’s Geese, the buzziest rock band in years, are a total exception.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The gangway between the tents opened up to a vast area of benches that reeked of wet dogs under the pressure of texturizing sprays, mousse, rollers, flat irons, and blow-dryers.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
-
And the smell is soft and pleasant, instead of reeking of alcohol.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The default ruling means that Rourke failed to take action to defend against the eviction complaint within the time allowed by law.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The complaint requested that the judge find the administration’s policy violates the First and Fifth Amendments and bar it from being implemented.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Advice columnist Carolyn Hax takes your comments and questions most Fridays about life, family, relationships and more.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The debate comes down, inescapably, to the question of alignment.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stink. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
