stench

noun

1
: stink
2
: a characteristic repugnant quality
stenchful adjective
stenchy adjective

Examples of stench in a Sentence

the stench of rotting meat we finally discovered the dead rat that was causing the stench in the basement
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The rule of law The Takei family spent the first night after their arrest squeezed into a horse stall at a local racetrack, with flies buzzing overhead, overwhelmed by the stench of horse manure. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024 Put them in a big game against a good team and no amount of Febreze can remove the stench. Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 2 Nov. 2024 More to Read Bird flu virus found in Los Angeles County wastewater Nov. 1, 2024 What’s causing the L.A. coastal stench? Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 The sheets will absorb the stench while adding a pleasant scent. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stench 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English stenc; akin to Old English stincan to emit a smell — more at stink

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stench was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stench

Cite this Entry

“Stench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stench. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

stench

noun
: a very disagreeable smell : stink sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on stench

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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