as in stink
a strong unpleasant smell
we finally discovered the dead rat that was causing the stench in the basement
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Recent Examples of stench
Some passengers toss out a corpse before its stench becomes unbearable to others.
—
Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The city’s colorful outdoor food markets lay abandoned—the usual smell of ripe papaya replaced by the stench of yesterday’s scraps, rotting in the heat.
—Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
However, rather than blithely dismiss the consequences of legalization with eye-rolling contempt for the puritans, supporters should confront the adverse societal effects of cannabis — the pervasive urban stench, the traffic deaths and the pernicious effects on youth.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Yet recently, residents say the stench and garbage have gotten out of control.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stench
Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The city’s colorful outdoor food markets lay abandoned—the usual smell of ripe papaya replaced by the stench of yesterday’s scraps, rotting in the heat.
—Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
However, rather than blithely dismiss the consequences of legalization with eye-rolling contempt for the puritans, supporters should confront the adverse societal effects of cannabis — the pervasive urban stench, the traffic deaths and the pernicious effects on youth.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Yet recently, residents say the stench and garbage have gotten out of control.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stench
Noun
-
Koutroulis said the county has instituted various mitigation measures to suppress the stink, including misting systems, industrial fans and soil to cover waste.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Until then, the air quality might remain a bit lower than usual, and those smelling the stink may smell it still for a little while longer.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This policy reeks of racial bias.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
There’s a generally inbred vibe, and that bloody reek of inheritance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stench. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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