Thesaurus

stinking

Q: How is the word 'stinking' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stinking are fetid , fusty , malodorous , musty , noisome , putrid , and rank . While all these words mean "bad-smelling," stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting. // prisoners were held in stinking cells // the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

Q: How are the words 'fusty' and 'musty' related as synonyms of 'stinking'?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age. // a fusty attic // the musty odor of a damp cellar

Q: Where would 'malodorous' be a reasonable alternative to 'stinking'?

The words malodorous and stinking are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive. // malodorous fertilizers

Q: When might 'noisome' be a better fit than 'stinking'?

Although the words noisome and stinking have much in common, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive. // a stagnant, noisome sewer

Q: When is it sensible to use 'putrid' instead of 'stinking'?

The synonyms putrid and stinking are sometimes interchangeable, but putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter. // the putrid smell of rotting fish

Q: When is 'rank' a more appropriate choice than 'stinking'?

In some situations, the words rank and stinking are roughly equivalent. However, rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell. // rank cigar smoke

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Synonyms & Antonyms of stinking

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 having an unpleasant smell

came home from their trip to find stinking garbage that had been left in the kitchen

Synonyms for stinking

Words Related to stinking

Near Antonyms for stinking

Antonyms for stinking

2 slang being under the influence of alcohol

warned her husband not to come home stinking—or he'd be sleeping on the couch

Synonyms for stinking

besotted,
blasted
[slang],
blind,
blitzed
[slang],
blotto
[slang],
bombed,
boozy,
canned
[slang],
cockeyed,
crocked,
drunk,
drunken,
fried,
gassed,
hammered
[slang],
high,
impaired,
inebriate,
inebriated,
intoxicated,
juiced
[slang],
lit,
lit up,
loaded
[slang],
looped,
oiled
[slang],
pickled,
pie-eyed,
plastered,
potted
[slang],
ripped
[slang],
sloshed
[slang],
smashed
[slang],
sottish,
soused,
sozzled,
squiffed
(or squiffy),
stewed,
stiff,
stoned,
tanked
[slang],
tiddly
[chiefly British],
tight,
tipsy,
wasted
[slang],
wet,
wiped out
[slang]

Words Related to stinking

maudlin

beery

Phrases Synonymous with stinking

Near Antonyms for stinking

Antonyms for stinking

stinking

adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms of stinking (Entry 2 of 3)

to a great degree

a huge, showy house that screams, "We're stinking rich!"

Synonyms for stinking

Words Related to stinking

Phrases Synonymous with stinking

Near Antonyms for stinking

Antonyms for stinking

stinking

verb

present participle of stink

Synonyms & Antonyms of stinking (Entry 3 of 3)

1 to give off an extremely unpleasant smell

the dog stinks because she tangled with a skunk again

Synonyms for stinking

reeking

Words Related to stinking

2 to be objectionable or unsatisfactory

their team really stinks this year

Synonyms for stinking

biting
[informal + sometimes impolite],
smelling,
sucking
[informal + sometimes impolite]

Antonyms for stinking

rocking
[slang],
ruling
[slang]

Frequently Asked Questions About stinking

How is the word stinking distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stinking are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and rank. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells

the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

How are the words fusty and musty related as synonyms of stinking?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic

the musty odor of a damp cellar

Where would malodorous be a reasonable alternative to stinking?

The words malodorous and stinking are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers