Synonyms of stink

stink 1 of 2

noun

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

• stench
• reek
• funk
• scent
• rankness
• rancidity
• foulness
• mustiness
• filth
• badness
• vileness
• staleness
• odor
• emission
• dirtiness
• sniff
• filthiness
• nastiness
• fetidness
• dirt
• fustiness
• acridness
• effluvium
• malodorousness
• odorousness
• redolence
• odoriferousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• perfume
• fragrance
• aroma
• sweetness
• spiciness
• bouquet
• lusciousness
• savoriness
• floweriness
• ambrosia

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

• objection
• exception
• complaint
• question
• protest
• fuss
• challenge
• criticism
• difficulty
• doubt
• kick
• remonstrance
• suspicion
• demurrer
• demur
• expostulation
• demurral
• dispute
• qualm
• dissent
• squabble
• compunction
• skepticism
• quibble
• misunderstanding
• uncertainty
• censure
• scruple
• distrust
• argument
• misgiving
• debate
• quarrel
• reluctance
• mistrust
• cavil
• unease
• static
• disobedience
• rebellion
• conflict
• uneasiness
• niggle
• misdoubt
• dubitation
• hassle
• reservation
• unwillingness
• defiance
• dubiety
• indetermination
• mistrustfulness
• distrustfulness
• incertitude
• qualmishness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approval
• willingness
• agreement
• sanction
• acceptance
• compliance
• obedience
• assent
• acquiescence

stink

2 of 2

verb

ˈstiŋk 

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

• smell
• reek
• rot
• decompose
• exhale
• revolt
• savor
• decay
• disgust
• spoil
• offend
• repulse

2

as in to suck

to be objectionable or unsatisfactory

their team really stinks this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suck
• smell
• bite

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rule
• rock

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stink

Noun

The streetscape, the shopfronts, the hansom cabs, the coal smoke, the gaslights, the stink? — Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

There were flakes of gray ash on the rocks, and the choking stink of wet soot. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Verb

This aluminum-free stick goes beyond odor protection with a transfer-resistant formula to fend off stink. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026

The Penguins stink at protecting leads primarily because their best players aren’t defensively minded. — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing stink

• kick up a stink