STINKING Synonyms: 285 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'stinking' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stinking are fetid , fusty , malodorous , musty , noisome , putrid , and rank . While all these words mean "bad-smelling," stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting. // prisoners were held in stinking cells // the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

Q: How are the words 'fusty' and 'musty' related as synonyms of 'stinking'?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age. // a fusty attic // the musty odor of a damp cellar

Q: Where would 'malodorous' be a reasonable alternative to 'stinking'?

The words malodorous and stinking are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive. // malodorous fertilizers

Q: When might 'noisome' be a better fit than 'stinking'?

Although the words noisome and stinking have much in common, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive. // a stagnant, noisome sewer

Q: When is it sensible to use 'putrid' instead of 'stinking'?

The synonyms putrid and stinking are sometimes interchangeable, but putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter. // the putrid smell of rotting fish

Q: When is 'rank' a more appropriate choice than 'stinking'?

In some situations, the words rank and stinking are roughly equivalent. However, rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell. // rank cigar smoke

stinking 1 of 3

adjective

ˈstiŋ-kiŋ

Definition of stinking next

as in ripe

having an unpleasant smell came home from their trip to find stinking garbage that had been left in the kitchen

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in drunk

slang being under the influence of alcohol warned her husband not to come home stinking—or he'd be sleeping on the couch

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stinking

2 of 3

adverb

as in damn

to a great degree a huge, showy house that screams, "We're stinking rich!"

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stinking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of stink

as in reeking

to give off an extremely unpleasant smell the dog stinks because she tangled with a skunk again

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as in sucking

to be objectionable or unsatisfactory their team really stinks this year

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word stinking distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stinking are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and rank. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells

the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

How are the words fusty and musty related as synonyms of stinking?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic

the musty odor of a damp cellar

Where would malodorous be a reasonable alternative to stinking?

The words malodorous and stinking are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

When might noisome be a better fit than stinking?

Although the words noisome and stinking have much in common, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

When is it sensible to use putrid instead of stinking?

The synonyms putrid and stinking are sometimes interchangeable, but putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

When is rank a more appropriate choice than stinking?

In some situations, the words rank and stinking are roughly equivalent. However, rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

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 stinking

Adjective

This is about a team with a top-10 payroll whose GM committed too stinking much of it to dogs that can’t, or won’t, pull the sled. —

Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2019 Muttaiah said the man inside the stinking manhole was working without any safety equipment — no gloves, no shoes, no supplemental oxygen. —

Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2019 GothamGetty Images Aren't expectant parents Jenna Dewan and Steve Kazee just so stinking cute? —

Emily Dixon, Marie Claire, 3 Dec. 2019 Second, the Huskies covered the spread as the favorite one stinking time? —

Mike Anthony, courant.com, 29 Aug. 2019 The area included a stinking heap: years of goat dung in layers up to a foot thick. —

Michael Greshko, National Geographic, 28 Aug. 2019 Man, that’s one crazy set of numbers, not to mention a stinking pile of horse manure, as the two long-revered defenders continue to make one sensational play after another . . —

Bruce Jenkins, SFChronicle.com, 19 July 2019 But his mechanics were already pretty stinking good. —

Robert Klemko, SI.com, 15 July 2019 Eventually, more fat, oil, and grease congeal onto the mess and build up into giant stinking globs. —

National Geographic, 16 Aug. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stinking

Adjective

Superfan Jack Hoffman Tragically Passes Away at 19 Notre Dame plays a ton of man-to-man, which is ripe for Ohio State's offense.

— David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Neighbors used to wait until the fruit was ripe, then come knocking on the front door, practically begging to pick from the trees.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025

Definition of ripe

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“Stinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stinking. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

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Last Updated: 30 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of stinking

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