stunk

stunk

The garbage stunk in the hot summer sun.

Definition

Verb (past participle of stink): - To have emitted a strong, unpleasant smell: "stunk" is the past participle form of the verb "stink," indicating that something has produced a foul odor in the past or as a completed action. - To have been extremely unpleasant or of very poor quality: In informal usage, "stunk" can describe something that was morally objectionable, disgusting, or of very low standard.

Usage Examples
  • (The garbage emitted a strong, unpleasant smell that filled the space.)
  • (The movie was of extremely poor quality and was very unpleasant.)
  • (His behavior was morally objectionable and unpleasant throughout the season.)
Advanced Usage

  • "stunk to high heaven": to have a very strong, offensive smell.

    • The fish market stunk to high heaven after the power outage. (The fish market emitted an extremely foul odor.)

  • "stunk of something": to have been strongly suggestive of something, often negative.

    • The deal stunk of corruption. (The deal clearly suggested corruption or dishonesty.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Stink (verb): the base form; to emit a strong, unpleasant smell.

    • The old socks stink. (They emit a foul odor.)

  • Stinky (adjective): having a very unpleasant smell.

    • The stinky cheese was left in the sun. (The cheese had a strong, bad smell.)

  • Stinker (noun): something or someone that is very unpleasant or of poor quality.

    • That test was a real stinker. (The test was very difficult or unpleasant.)
Synonyms
  • Reeked: to have smelled very strongly and unpleasantly.
  • Fetid: having a foul smell (often used as an adjective, but contextually related).
  • Smelled bad: a simple, informal synonym.
Phrasal Verbs

  • Stunk up: to fill a space with a strong, unpleasant smell.

    • The burnt popcorn stunk up the entire kitchen. (The burnt popcorn caused the kitchen to smell bad.)

  • Stunk out: to drive someone out using a foul smell.

    • The skunk stunk out the campers from their tent. (The skunk's smell forced the campers to leave.)
Related Idioms

  • "stunk to the core": to have been fundamentally bad or corrupt.

    • The whole plan stunk to the core. (The plan was entirely bad or dishonest.)

  • "stunk like a polecat": to have a very strong, offensive odor.

    • The abandoned house stunk like a polecat. (The house smelled extremely foul.)