stink

To have a very strong, unpleasant smell.

• These socks stink.
• The kitchen stank of rotten fish.
• Why does the drain stink so badly?

How to use it: stink of something (His jacket stank of smoke.)

Similar words: smell bad, reek

Common phrases: stink of something, stink to high heaven, stink up something

To be very bad, or do something very badly.

• This movie stinks.
• Our team stank in the final.
• I stink at remembering people’s names.

How to use it: stink at something/doing something (I stink at playing tennis.)

Similar words: be terrible, suck

Opposites: excel

Common phrases: stink at something, really stink, stink at doing something

To seem dishonest, wrong, or suspicious.

• This deal stinks.
• His sudden promotion stank of favouritism.
• Something stinks about the company’s explanation.

How to use it: stink of something (The whole arrangement stinks of corruption.)

Similar words: seem suspicious, smell fishy

Common phrases: stink of corruption, stink of fraud, stink to high heaven

A very strong, unpleasant smell.

• What is that awful stink?
• A terrible stink came from the drain.
• We opened the windows to let the stink out.

Similar words: stench

Common phrases: awful stink, stink of sewage

A loud, angry complaint that draws attention to a problem.

• She made a stink about the bill.
• Customers raised a stink when the shop refused refunds.
• Will anyone make a stink over these changes?

How to use it: make a stink about something (They made a stink about the noisy building work.)

Similar words: fuss, outcry

Common phrases: make a stink, stink about something

Very bad in quality or not worth having.

• That was a stink movie.
• The concert was stink, so we left early.
• They put on another stink performance last night.

Similar words: awful, terrible, rubbish

Opposites: excellent

Common phrases: stink concert, stink movie