stinks 1 of 2

Definition of stinksnext
plural of stink

stinks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of stink
1
as in smells
to give off an extremely unpleasant smell the dog stinks because she tangled with a skunk again

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in sucks
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 stinks
Verb
He got canned because his team stinks. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026 The big problem What few people talk about is that California stinks at attracting new residents from other states. Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026 This team stinks without him on the floor. Zach Harper, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 The Bills’ rush defense stinks. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026 Also, because New Orleans stinks. Miami Herald, 26 Nov. 2025 No one says anyone has to accept that the team stinks. Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Oct. 2025 Of all the questionable advice pinging around social media platforms, this one really stinks—literally. Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025 So, if the economy stinks, why is the stock market so delighted? David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stinks
Noun
  • Top Army officials, over Hegseth’s objections, decided to keep Butler in the promotion queue during the past year.
    Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Some pointed to the modern-day resurgence of antisemitism as justification for their objections.
    Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Anchored in bergamot, smoke, and oakwood, Rouge Chaotique smells like a crunchy walk through a forest.
    Allure, Allure, 17 Feb. 2026
  • While many people reach for the detergent that smells the freshest, allergists say the fragrance isn’t doing your health any favors.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • That’s because fans are designed to remove moisture quickly, which can often create negative pressure that sucks warm air out of the room faster than the central HVAC can replace it, especially in winter.
    Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Pentagon threatens Scouting America over DEI 'The system sucks.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Kiswani noted that outlets such as the New York Post have written about New Yorkers' complaints about the uptick in dog poop being left behind.
    MARIANA ALFARO THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Of the 10 complaints in 2025, Provost Rahul Shrivastav said one was substantiated, two are still being investigated and the rest were resolved, the student paper reported.
    Cate Charron, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Those exceptions are not listed in the OMES report.
    Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoman, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Overstaying Your Welcome Of course, there are plenty of exceptions, but clarify your arrival and departure times in advance, and be aware of any changes.
    Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stinks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stinks. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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