1
2
: any of several large petrels that have an offensive odor
3
slang
: something extremely difficult
the examination was a real stinker
Examples of stinker in a Sentence
He is a dirty little stinker.
a real stinker of a performance
Recent Examples on the Web
Dent put up a stinker in UCLA’s loss to Cal.
—
Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
There have been some huge stinkers more akin to January productions, Mercy with a 23%, and Return to Silent Hill with an 18%.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
This past stretch — losses to Florida and Tampa Bay, then two decisive wins, an overtime loss to Toronto and a stinker against Nashville — led to Bednar’s first truly negative assessment of his team this season.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
After another stinker for three quarters in prime time, after another disappointment in less-than-pristine weather, there really is no justification for the Dolphins to play another game, let alone another season, with Tagovailoa as the uncontested starter.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stinker
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Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
There have been some huge stinkers more akin to January productions, Mercy with a 23%, and Return to Silent Hill with an 18%.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
This past stretch — losses to Florida and Tampa Bay, then two decisive wins, an overtime loss to Toronto and a stinker against Nashville — led to Bednar’s first truly negative assessment of his team this season.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
After another stinker for three quarters in prime time, after another disappointment in less-than-pristine weather, there really is no justification for the Dolphins to play another game, let alone another season, with Tagovailoa as the uncontested starter.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stinker
Cite this Entry
“Stinker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stinker. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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