stink 1 of 2

noun

Definition of stinknext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stink

2 of 2

verb

ˈstiŋk How to pronounce stink (audio)
1
as in to smell
to give off an extremely unpleasant smell the dog stinks because she tangled with a skunk again

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to suck
to be objectionable or unsatisfactory their team really stinks this year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Noun
There were flakes of gray ash on the rocks, and the choking stink of wet soot. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 For months, many at City Hall had expected Raman to make a stink if she was yanked from her post, transforming herself into a martyr. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
This aluminum-free stick goes beyond odor protection with a transfer-resistant formula to fend off stink. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026 The Penguins stink at protecting leads primarily because their best players aren’t defensively minded. — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stink
  1. stench
  2. objection
  3. smell
  4. suck
  5. exception
  6. reek
  7. complaint
  8. question
Noun
  • Fishmeal production has led to chronic chemical exposure, violent protests — typically spurred by the stench from fishmeal factories — and escalating transnational tensions as countries compete for catch.
    — Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In the weeks after, more than 85 million pounds of rotting food being kept at the cold storage facility began to rot, leaving a putrid stench lingering over the area that led to infestations of rats, flies and other rodents.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of stench
Noun
  • However, he was removed from the 2022 ballot after an Illinois election board upheld an objection to his campaign.
    — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The council said its objection is in response to Bocelli’s past support for Israel, including his participation in a 2010 fundraiser in Los Angeles for the Israel Defense Forces and a 2022 concert in Tel Aviv.
    — Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of objection
Verb
  • At some point, even Pelley and Chayka are going to have to wake up and smell the coffee.
    — James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The district attorney’s office said the child was reported to smell like cat urine and appeared seriously underweight and pale.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of smell
Verb
  • The system sucks up nearly 100% of cancer-causing diesel particulates and 95% of nitrogen oxide.
    — Micheline Maynard, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Warmer air wants to hold more water, so the air sucks moisture from vegetation.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of suck
Noun
  • Where Brown has a point is that teams are using the full mid-level exception (MLE) less frequently under the current CBA.
    — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The measure extends those protections to public ways within 1,000 feet of court facilities, while preserving an exception for arrests made under a valid judicial warrant.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of exception
Verb
  • Artists may have loved the old Gowanus, reeking green canal and all, but who would pay luxury rents to live in the new one?
    — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, the two biggest options trades on the tape Tuesday reeked of skepticism.
    — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of reek
Noun
  • In response, the watchdog group Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint Wednesday with the State Bar of California asking it to investigate whether Zacharia misrepresented herself as a lawyer in violation of California law.
    — Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In response, the watchdog group Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint Wednesday with the State Bar of California asking them to investigate whether Zacharia misrepresented herself as a lawyer in violation of California law.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of complaint
Noun
  • Get timely insight into the cases, rulings, and constitutional questions defining America’s legal landscape.
    — Washington Examiner, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Most questions were friendly and business-centric, but Marshall also gave his opinion on several polarizing issues, including federal immigration enforcement, tariffs and the war in Iran.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of question

Phrases Containing stink

Browse Nearby Words

stingy
stink
stinkard
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Cite this Entry

“Stink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stink. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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