stench

noun

ˈstench 

1

: stink

2

: a characteristic repugnant quality

stenchful

ˈstench-fəl 

adjective

stenchy

ˈsten-chē 

adjective

Synonyms

• funk
• reek
• stink

Examples of stench in a Sentence

the stench of rotting meat

we finally discovered the dead rat that was causing the stench in the basement

Recent Examples on the Web

Obasi can’t stand the stench of this alien — who's also a commoner, to boot — and solves the inconvenience by handing him off to his queen Eshe (Thandiwe Newton), who'll raise him in the company of the pride’s females. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024

And some days, its dusty air carries the stench of the polluted Salton Sea eight miles west. —Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024

Trump’s appointment of Patel creates the stench of politics that Congress sought to prevent. —Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 12 Dec. 2024

All of social media wanted to recommend stuff that was no longer relevant, and the stench of this stale buffet of content lingered long after the non-event had ended. —Lauren Goode, WIRED, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English stenc; akin to Old English stincan to emit a smell — more at stink

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stench

noun

ˈstench 

: a very disagreeable smell : stink sense 1