1
as in stench
a strong unpleasant smell
the stink of burned plastic lingered in the kitchen for days after we accidentally melted a spatula on the stove
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in objection
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent
many town residents raised an unholy stink about the proposal to increase taxes yet again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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 stink
Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
The stink began long before the fermentation set in.
—Shindy Chen, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
Without change, tomorrow will be like today, and today stinks.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stink
Noun
From another room somewhere, the stink of cigarettes wafted in.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
The stink began long before the fermentation set in.
—Shindy Chen, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
Bradford pears stink, their hard berries stain and make a mess of walkways, and their seeds spread prolifically.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 11 May 2026
Without change, tomorrow will be like today, and today stinks.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stink
Noun
-
The problem has only grown in that time, which neighbors say has caused a rat problem and a putrid stench.—
Tara Lynch,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Trudy claimed to Oregon Live that on at least one occasion, a friend could even detect the stench coming off of their clothes.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The Boilermakers’ former general counsel testified Tuesday that the law firm representing the union for roughly half a century attended International Executive Council meetings held at luxury destinations — and raised no objections about the costs or attendance.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
-
Sentence commutation Over the strenuous objection of fellow Democrats and many Republicans — including Peters’ prosecutor and a majority of Colorado’s election clerks — Polis commuted her sentence, clearing the way for Peters’ parole on June 1 after less than two years in prison.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The village boutiques scattered along the sloping cobblestone alleys are just a five-minute stroll away, and offer the standard unremarkable Provence souvenirs—traditional fabrics, yellow pottery, straw bags, and sweet-smelling soaps.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Panish replayed for jurors testimony from Grossman’s daughter that, soon after the collision, Erickson arrived at the house smelling of alcohol.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
LiPfe was directly sucking nutrients from the surrounding seawater to fuel its tissue repair and survival.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
-
In the political thriller, ex-CIA operative Jack gets sucked back into the secret-agent game and teams up with old friends – plus a new MI6 officer (Sienna Miller) – to stop a black-ops squad from causing global chaos.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
There's very little Democrats and Republicans seem to agree on these days, but Iowa's importance to their political futures is one exception.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
31 May 2026
-
On-field treatment delay Players who require on-field treatment from medical staff will have to leave the field of play for one minute after the restart, bar notable exceptions.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
His shirt reeked of the flowery-formaldehyde tartness of mothballs pickling dress pockets in a closet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
The Phillies still trailed, and the move reeked of desperation from Mattingly, who is desperate because his team cannot score runs.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
No complaints about the strong, free Wi-Fi.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
And the White House has required VA officials and advocates to sign NDAs about construction on campus, drawing bipartisan complaints from Congress.—
Quil Lawrence,
NPR,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
So the question is no longer theoretical.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
Amble Health did not respond to questions for this article.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stink. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
