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
Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Then there are the optics, and the optics stink.
—Matt Klink, Oc Register, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stink
Noun
Until then, the air quality might remain a bit lower than usual, and those smelling the stink may smell it still for a little while longer.
—Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
Glowicki stars as a lonely gravedigger who stinks of corpses.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Then there are the optics, and the optics stink.
—Matt Klink, Oc Register, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stink
Noun
-
The department has also installed gas wells to better control gas emissions, odor neutralizers to reduce stench, as well as various programs that convert landfill gas to energy, Alonso said.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The stench permeates passing cars with the windows up, lingering inside for days.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kelly said a decision to release surveillance footage despite investigators’ objections became a lasting distraction.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Coleman decided to blend Italian cooking with barbecue cooking by introducing BBQ spaghetti—in spite of her mother’s objections.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Contrary to popular belief, a cat lady’s home can be clean and smell good.—
Kayla Blanton,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Read Full Review Getty Parque Florestal de Monsanto Lisbon’s national forest is the largest green space in the city, and home to stunning fauna and flora, including the eucalyptus trees that smell incredible.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Do not apply a bandage or ice and don’t try to cut or suck out the venom.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
That has to suck for Simpson, too.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Avdija took exception to Castle’s actions and shoved him.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Future observations, especially across more wavelengths and with next-generation detectors, will be crucial to confirm whether this behavior is typical or a rare exception.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 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
-
Police Chief Jason Bonace is not named as a defendant, but the complaint argues civil service rules were violated to promote him from K-9 officer to police chief.—
Jennifer Borrasso,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Cops have no control over false complaints being filed against him, the lawsuit states.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The agency did not directly address whether the transition could affect service continuity, instead directing questions about services to the county, which will take over many programs.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The most prominent question is his slight 6-foot, 181-pound frame.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stink. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
