stink bug
noun
variants
or stinkbug
plural stink bugs or stinkbugs
: any of various hemipterous bugs (family Pentatomidae) that have a flattened, shield-shaped body with a triangular scutellum, emit a disagreeable odor when threatened, disturbed, or crushed, and include agricultural and household pests
The Maryland organic farmer is suffering from an infestation of stink bugs—crop-consuming pests emitting the odor of cilantro mixed with burned rubber and dirty socks.—
Heather Haddon
Heather Haddon… Jay McPherson of nearby Southern Illinois University has recorded fifty kinds of stinkbugs from the Pine Hills; possibly the region now deserves the unenviable title of "Stinkbug Capital of the World."—Robert H. Mohlenbrock
Robert H. MohlenbrockExamples of stink bug in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Like, stink bugs and cockroaches, scorpions, ticks, bees, beetles and borers and aphids, snails and mice and voles.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2024
Residents of tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, the insects give off an unpleasant odor when threatened, revealing their relation to stink bugs.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 July 2024
Another way to keep stink bugs out is through preventative measures.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024
Once properly trained on the images, researchers say the AI was highly adept at spotting instances of stink bugs in other images.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 June 2024
The best way to remove stink bugs is to vacuum them.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024
Their extensive repertoire encompasses combating an array of pests, including ants, bed bugs, bees, wasps, hornets, boxelder bugs, cockroaches, crickets, fleas, flies, mice, rats, mosquitoes, silverfish, spiders, stink bugs, termites and ticks.
—The Dreamer Media, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2024
Specifically, stink bugs, aphids, and spider mites aren't big fans of basil's aroma.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2024
Predators feast on the insects A number of predators—birds, bears, fish, raccoons, turtles, and even some humans—love to eat cicadas, which are in the same family as the stink bug.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
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.
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2024
Residents of tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, the insects give off an unpleasant odor when threatened, revealing their relation to stink bugs.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 July 2024
Another way to keep stink bugs out is through preventative measures.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024
Once properly trained on the images, researchers say the AI was highly adept at spotting instances of stink bugs in other images.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 June 2024
The best way to remove stink bugs is to vacuum them.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024
Their extensive repertoire encompasses combating an array of pests, including ants, bed bugs, bees, wasps, hornets, boxelder bugs, cockroaches, crickets, fleas, flies, mice, rats, mosquitoes, silverfish, spiders, stink bugs, termites and ticks.
—The Dreamer Media, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2024
Specifically, stink bugs, aphids, and spider mites aren't big fans of basil's aroma.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2024
Predators feast on the insects A number of predators—birds, bears, fish, raccoons, turtles, and even some humans—love to eat cicadas, which are in the same family as the stink bug.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near stink bug
Cite this Entry
“Stink bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stink%20bug. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stinkbug
noun
stink·bug
ˈstiŋk-ˌbəg 
: any of various true bugs that give off a bad smell
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share