stink

1 of 2

verb

stank ˈstaŋk How to pronounce stink (audio) or stunk ˈstəŋk How to pronounce stink (audio) ; stunk; stinking

intransitive verb

1
: to emit a strong offensive odor
stank of urine
2
: to be offensive
the election stank of corruption
also : to be in bad repute
3
: to possess something to an offensive degree
stinking with wealth
4
: to be extremely bad or unpleasant
the performance stank
that news really stinks
stinky adjective

stink

2 of 2

noun

1
: a strong offensive odor : stench
2
: a public outcry against something : fuss
made a big stink when asked to leave

Examples of stink in a Sentence

Verb The food is good at that restaurant, but the service stinks. Having a root canal stinks. Noun People raised a stink about the new law. He kicked up a stink about the way he'd been treated.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
The Cowboys stinking is like the Yankees and Lakers stinking — all those bandwagon, front-running fans lose their collective minds, everybody’s got a take, and the morning talk shows eat it up. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 19 Nov. 2024 But that’s all stinking water under London Bridge, now that Daddy Cravensworth needs a favor. Katie Rife, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
Noun
From electric blue waves to eye-watering stink Oct. 30, 2024 Why are dead oarfish washing ashore? Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024 Wearing none of the stink of Unfrosted, which somehow got an Outstanding Television Movie nomination! Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for stink 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English stincan; akin to Old High German stinkan to emit a smell

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stink was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stink

Cite this Entry

“Stink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stink. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

stink

1 of 2 verb
stank ˈstaŋk How to pronounce stink (audio) or stunk ˈstəŋk How to pronounce stink (audio) ; stunk; stinking
1
: to give off or cause to have an unpleasant smell
the garbage pail stinks
2
: to be very bad or unpleasant
that news really stinks
stinker noun

stink

2 of 2 noun
1
: a strong unpleasant odor : stench
2
: a public outcry against something : fuss
made a big stink when asked to leave
stinky
ˈstiŋ-kē
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on stink

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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