stench

/stentʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /stentʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstench/ (ame, mw)

stench — noun

  • stenchsingular
  • stenchesplural

1. a very strong and offensive smell, especially one coming from something rotten,

1.名詞B2
釋義

a very strong and offensive smell, especially one coming from something rotten, decaying, or unclean, that is powerful enough to be felt from a distance.

例句

Fatima held her breath as the stench of rotting fish hit her in the market.

noun + of + gerund: stench of rotting fish

The stench from the overturned garbage truck made everyone cover their noses.

stench from + [source noun]

同義詞
  • stink

    more informal and direct; can also be a verb ('it stinks')

  • reek

    similar strength; often used as a verb ('the room reeked of smoke')

  • odor

    more neutral and scientific; can describe pleasant or unpleasant smells

反義詞
  • fragrance

    a pleasant, sweet smell, especially from flowers or perfumes

  • aroma

    a strong but pleasant smell, often of food or coffee

文法句型

a/the stench of [source]

stench from [source]

stench + fills/rises/wafts

用法筆記

Unlike smell or odor, stench is always strongly negative — it cannot describe a pleasant fragrance. The source is almost always something rotting, burning, or unclean.

常見錯誤

❌What a lovely stench from the kitchen!
✅What a lovely smell from the kitchen!
💡stench is always unpleasant; use smell, aroma, or fragrance for pleasant odors.

2. a powerful and unpleasant feeling that remains in people's memory after somethin

2.名詞C1
釋義

a powerful and unpleasant feeling that remains in people's memory after something dishonest, immoral, or shameful has happened, making it hard for those involved to be trusted again.

例句

The stench of corruption clung to the mayor's office long after the investigation ended.

figurative: the stench of + abstract noun (corruption)

Years later, the stench of the scandal still followed the former CEO wherever he went.

同義詞
  • taint

    implies a small amount of something bad affecting something otherwise good

  • stigma

    a mark of shame attached to someone's character, more personal and lasting

反義詞
  • purity

    freedom from moral corruption or contamination

文法句型

the stench of [corruption/scandal/betrayal]

stench + clings to / hangs over / follows

用法筆記

Used only with strongly negative abstract nouns (corruption, scandal, betrayal, dishonesty, greed). Common in journalistic and formal writing, less common in everyday speech. Subject is usually a place, institution, or event — not a person.

常見錯誤

❌The stench of her kindness followed her.
✅The stench of the scandal followed the politician.
💡this figurative sense only works with negative, immoral, or shameful things.