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
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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
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Recent Examples of stink
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025
Even worse — in some parts of Africa and Pacific islands, elephant foot yam is Amorphophallus paeonifolius — that’s right, a relative of the big stink, corpse flower!
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Nov. 2025
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
If the Mavericks are going to mostly stink in Flagg’s rookie season and perhaps not get much better right away next year, is this stunting his NBA growth in any way?
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stink
Noun
Without a stink, a grimy dishwasher still deserves a deep clean to restore its shine and efficiency.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025
Even worse — in some parts of Africa and Pacific islands, elephant foot yam is Amorphophallus paeonifolius — that’s right, a relative of the big stink, corpse flower!
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Free yourself from those stinking shackles!
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
If the Mavericks are going to mostly stink in Flagg’s rookie season and perhaps not get much better right away next year, is this stunting his NBA growth in any way?
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stink
Noun
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The stench of corruption might become so overwhelming that a revolted electorate rejects the entire enterprise.—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Last year, residents in the majority-Black community of Boxtown in South Memphis testified at public hearings about a rotten egg-like stench in the air, and the impact of worsening smog on their heart and lung health.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
They were joined by other celebrities wearing the pins to voice their objections to ICE, including Justin Bieber, Samara Joy, Kehlani, Lachi, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Teddy Swims also wore the pins.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Feb. 2026
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The deadline to file a claim is March 21, while the deadline to file an objection to the settlement is March 27.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The best hair perfumes can make your strands smell as good as the rest of you, without committing to a full wash day.—
Andrea Navarro,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
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Near the end of her speech, a man in the front row jumped up and ran towards her before spraying her shirt with a syringe of an unknown, strong-smelling substance, according to C-SPAN footage.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Aphids are tiny sucking insects from the insect family Aphididae.—
Jon VanZile,
The Spruce,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Illness out of nowhere in any way, in any shape, any form, just sucks.—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The exception Melanie Moran, a concierge agent for the Rental Girl who helps people find rentals, said rents are getting more expensive in trendy areas such as Silver Lake, Los Feliz, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and Culver City.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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There are exceptions, including former vice president Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ed’s uncle’s garage apartment reeked of must and jug wine.—
Nick Dothée,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Even the goal of bringing Saleh back this past offseason reeked of desperation.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cumming said the city's information technology department also abruptly cut off part of her office administrator's access, including the ability to see who else in city government may be looking at whistleblower complaints and documents related to ethics investigations.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Schlegel is expected to be charged via federal criminal complaint with assault on a federal officer, alien smuggling and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with Tuesday's shooting, Janke said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Now, the question of whether the US could again use force – or tactics like tariffs or sanctions – to strong-arm countries into choosing Washington’s interests over ties with China is a viable risk being evaluated in the region’s capitals.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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The emails released on Friday also show that in October 2012, Musk forwarded questions from Epstein to his cousin, Peter Rive, a SolarCity founder.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stink. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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