stink 1 of 2

stink

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to smell
to give off an extremely unpleasant smell the dog stinks because she tangled with a skunk again

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to suck
to be objectionable or unsatisfactory their team really stinks this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Noun
King’s Chapel was established in 1683 as the first Anglican church in New England, which was settled starting in 1620 by dissenters who wanted a theocracy and religion shorn of folderol, cant, and the stink of popes and kings. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 19 July 2025 Because even without the political stink, the Tesla’s financial outlook is suddenly looking notably worse. Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
Verb
So, if the economy stinks, why is the stock market so delighted? David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025 The New York Giants, as of this writing, stink on ice. David Aldridge, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stink
Noun
  • There was seemingly a healthy respect between the players, like opposing superstars Virat Kohli and Babar Azam sharing a laugh in an enduring image, in what was a snapshot of the possibilities when the stench of politics is absent.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The family claimed their house was plagued with blood-curdling screams, foul stenches and other terrors: Jack Smurl and one of his daughters had been tossed around the house, as was the family’s pet German shepherd.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Democrats countered that the GOP proposal actually is partisan, since Republicans are seeking to extend funding following the passage of a controversial spending bill that narrowly passed in July over the objections of all congressional Democrats.
    Kevin Breuninger,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Burr’s take on the event comes as some comedians such as Shane Gillis, Marc Maron and David Cross have voiced objections to the festival, with Cross blasting comics — including citing Burr — who participated.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Loaded with fresh herbs, celery, and poultry seasoning, this cornbread smells like Thanksgiving in a skillet.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Now everybody smells what The Rock is cooking – even Oscar.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Yes, the situation really did suck.
    Sarah Mlynowski, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • But too much granular detail can suck the life out of something.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • One option would require universal permitting, meaning every business that emits the five toxics would need a permit, and another proposal would require universal permitting with some exceptions.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
  • But after three weeks, that 27-13 loss in Green Bay is more of an exception than the rule; Detroit has scored 52, 38 and 34 points since, and now owns the league’s best point margin.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Thousands of skeletal creatures were lying on bunks unable to move, while dead bodies were piled in heaps all around the camp, reeking of putrefaction.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
  • What initially reeked of hometown fantasy appears to have real legs.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The decision to place Hauck on leave followed three complaints accusing him of inappropriate speech on multiple occasions, according to records received via a Freedom of Information Act request.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The station chief filed a complaint with the State Department’s Office of the Inspector General, charging that Manes had unfairly dismissed him, among other allegations.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But as retail investors push the market higher, and bulls cheer liquidity support and policy tailwinds, some experts are raising questions if the market is entering bubble territory.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2025
  • There's also the question of the mole inside the FBI, which the show seems to be leading us to believe is actually Kathleen McGinty (Martha Plimpton) rather than one of the three task force members working under Tom (Mark Ruffalo).
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 29 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stink. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stink

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!