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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
Smith has created an unrelentingly serious and sad work whose lyrics and arrangements stink of death, yet move as one – proactively, sensually — across eight long songs to create a universe unlike any this ensemble has attempted in the past. A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024 This league is better when the New York teams are better, and right now the Giants stink. Follow me on Twitter. Jesse Reed, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
All are winnable for a variety of reasons: Atlanta’s defense stinks, Cleveland just stinks, Indianapolis’ Anthony Richardson is less accurate than a Colorado winter forecast, and Kansas City could rest its starters in the season finale with the No. 1 seed secured. Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2024 The Glossier Deodorant is aluminum and baking soda-free and conditions skin with coconut oil while keeping your stink at bay. Sarah Madaus, Allure, 4 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!