stinks 1 of 2

Definition of stinksnext
plural of stink

stinks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of stink
1
as in smells
to give off an extremely unpleasant smell the dog stinks because she tangled with a skunk again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 stinks
Verb
The big problem What few people talk about is that California stinks at attracting new residents from other states. Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026 This team stinks without him on the floor. Zach Harper, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 The Bills’ rush defense stinks. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026 Also, because New Orleans stinks. Miami Herald, 26 Nov. 2025 He was sacked six times by the Titans last week and won anyway because Tennessee stinks. Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025 No one says anyone has to accept that the team stinks. Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Oct. 2025 Of all the questionable advice pinging around social media platforms, this one really stinks—literally. Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025 So, if the economy stinks, why is the stock market so delighted? David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stinks
Noun
  • Loud objections left commissioners calling for order and taking a recess.
    Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Meanwhile, a high-speed rail proposal between Dallas and Fort Worth is stuck in limbo, stemming from objections to where a route would connect in Dallas, per KERA.
    Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • These are the areas where, as Solodko explains, perishables interact, and smells can happen.
    Heather Bien, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Pine-Sol can get rid of tough stains and smells such as grease and unpleasant odors on athletic gear for clothing that seems good as new.
    Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • That’s because fans are designed to remove moisture quickly, which can often create negative pressure that sucks warm air out of the room faster than the central HVAC can replace it, especially in winter.
    Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Pentagon threatens Scouting America over DEI 'The system sucks.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Under the new ordinance, the city would not be able to investigate claims of discrimination at all, instead referring residents who make complaints to other resources, or to applicable state and federal agencies.
    Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Jorge Arreaza, a lawmaker and former minister of foreign affairs, went outside and allowed some families of political prisoners inside to hear their complaints.
    Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The courts have granted exceptions to search without a search warrant and each specific incident should be reviewed based on its facts.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Because the government has halted refugee programs, with a few exceptions, IRIS has no new refugees – people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence or persecution – to help settle.
    Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stinks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stinks. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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