stinking 1 of 3

1
2

stinking

2 of 3

adverb

stinking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of stink
1
as in reeking
to give off an extremely unpleasant smell the dog stinks because she tangled with a skunk again

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in sucking
to be objectionable or unsatisfactory their team really stinks this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Adjective
  • Also, since these wines generally do not age well – most are designed to be drunk upon release or within 2 to 3 years – producing enough to meet market demand while keeping a close eye on shifting consumer trends may make good business sense.
    Liz Thach, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The lyrics are threaded with images of a life that’s young, fun, and free: being naked on a beach, flying to Paris on a whim, being drunk at a bar.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Directed by Robert Eggers, the gothic horror film sees newlyweds Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) and Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) haunted by the treacherous, blood-sucking Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard).
    EW.com, EW.com, 30 Dec. 2024
  • This time around, even critics were convinced, joining in with libidinous fans to praise the blood-sucking second season, which was recently nominated for two Critics Choice Awards after being largely snubbed by voting bodies last year.
    Elaina Patton, NBC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Cori Clingman was arrested for alleged negligent manslaughter, homicide as a result of negligent driving and drunken driving and several other counts on Thursday, Jan. 23, per the Star-Tribune.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Buckeyes faithful — scarlet-clad, drunken, frigid from the cold — were finally unshackled from all those losses to Michigan and all those unmet expectations.
    Justin Williams, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • The combo of that large, efficient head; the dampening factor of the wood handle; and a nice texture at the base of the grip just felt so damned good, strike after strike.
    Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Still, Moore is pretty damned great — this could almost be her Fly.
    Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • Deep in the forest, the air whips by cold and fast and smelling of redwoods.
    Nick Czap, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Especially when that includes boarding a Christmastime caboose brimming with holiday decor, smelling hot cocoa wafting through the cars, and enjoying plenty of picturesque views.
    Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Christopher made up for 3-of-9 foul shooting by making 26 field goals to 19 for Westmont, which went 12-of-14 at the free-throw line.
    Glenn Reeves, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Larsson promptly picked up his fourth foul 2:40 into the third quarter and finished with four points (one for five shooting) and five rebounds in 14 minutes.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Statewide, water supplies are currently sufficient after two wet years.
    Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025
  • That was true two years ago, when wet weather conditions and low commodity prices made their crop farming a financial challenge.
    Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near stinking

Cite this Entry

“Stinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stinking. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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