the stench of rotting meat
we finally discovered the dead rat that was causing the stench in the basement
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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 Meanwhile, South Korean officials are combing through more than 600 body parts, and the stench of blood remains in the air at the crash site, the Daily Mail reported.—Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024 Resins, oils, and waxes used in mummification served both practical and spiritual purposes, reflecting a belief in purity and an afterlife free from the stench of decay.—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Feb. 2025 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
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