the stench of rotting meat
we finally discovered the dead rat that was causing the stench in the basement
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The stench around Thomas’ home is particularly strong when farmers empty the barns.—Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025 The stench affects her in seemingly mundane ways that accumulate to degrade her overall quality of life.—Kenny Torrella, Vox, 23 Jan. 2025 In Goma, a city of two million, the stench of death and the sounds of sirens wafted over the streets for days.—Guerchom Ndebo, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 Balda posits that the stench of Fort Worth’s Stockyards, carried north by prevailing winds, also dissuaded any big migrations toward the county line.—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stench
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of stench was
before the 12th century
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