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

Examples 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
  • These staples of awards seasons are ripe for a bit of shaking up.
    Ramin Zahed, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Ralph McLaughlin, senior economist at Realtor.com, said that if prospective buyers can look past higher mortgage rates, the market will be ripe for picking out the perfect home.
    Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Officers found Stewart drunk behind the wheel of a 2021 Honda Civic.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Be aware of the regulations and know that being drunk in public will almost certainly result in jail time and fines.
    Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Chinook helicopters dipped down into a lagoon on the vast lawn of Pepperdine University sucking up water to battle the fire.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Heller runs Mother through a gantlet of motherhood nightmares — singalong story time at the library, mercurial kid mood swings and the soul-sucking monotony of the daily routine that keeps the world turning.
    Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Besides, drunken Survivor footage is the best kind of footage.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Like one bride's tale about how she was forced to have wedding crashers kicked out of her wedding by police when their drunken behavior became too much.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
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
  • There can be side effects from supplementation, such as bad-smelling breath and sweat and headaches, as well as digestive issues such as heartburn, nausea or diarrhea, Harvard’s site stated.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Other things to love are a selection of gym equipment (including weights and a stationary bike) and Great Plains toiletries smelling of orange, grapefruit, and marula.
    Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Other signs to look for are floating debris, rust, mildew, or foul odors.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
  • There’s also an odor neutralizer cartridge that can be placed into the vacuum’s brush roll and is is designed to keep foul odors out of the air while cleaning.
    Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Some wet weather could impact parts of the East on Christmas Day.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Their warm and wet climates couldn’t produce the brawny horses needed for their cavalries.
    David Chaffetz, Fortune Asia, 15 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near stinking

Cite this Entry

“Stinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stinking. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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