stench

noun

ˈstench 

1

: stink

2

: a characteristic repugnant quality

stenchful

ˈstench-fəl 

adjective

stenchy

ˈsten-chē 

adjective

Synonyms

• funk
• reek
• stink

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

In Goma, a city of two million, the stench of death and the sounds of sirens wafted over the streets for days. —Guerchom Ndebo, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

Balda posits that the stench of Fort Worth’s Stockyards, carried north by prevailing winds, also dissuaded any big migrations toward the county line. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2025

Others cannot even enter the wreckage to dig, so strong is the stench of human decay. —Rawan Sheikh Ahmad Saher Alghorra, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025

Examples of this include finding black mold, a fire hazard, rodents — or the powerful stench of animal urine. —Christopher Elliott, King Features Syndicate, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for stench

• clench
• drench
• quench
• tench
• trench
• wench
• wrench
• entrench
• retrench
• workbench

Kids Definition

stench

noun

ˈstench 

: a very disagreeable smell : stink sense 1