malodorous
Offensively bad-smelling
Malodorous means bad-smelling: a malodorous heap of garbage, malodorous fumes from the factory.
The word is somewhat formal—stinky, smelly, or foul serve the same purpose in casual speech.
Malodorous occasionally appears in figurative contexts for things that seem corrupt or unsavory: a malodorous business deal.
Powerfully offensive odor
- reekEmit strong odor
- fetorIntense, offensive odor
- miasmaHarmful atmospheric emanation
- effluviumNoxious airborne exhalation
foulness · rankness · putridity · funk · whiff · emanation · smell · sulfurous
Extremely foul-smelling
- fetidHaving foul odor
- rankPosition in hierarchy
- foulOffensive or illegal
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
repugnant · revolting · nauseating · noxious · vile · disgusting · loathsome · repulsive
Decomposed and foul-smelling
- rottingOrganic matter decomposing
- decomposingOrganic matter breaking down
- putrefyingDecaying with foul odor
- spoiledRuined or overindulged
moldy · mildewed · festering · rancid · carrion · carcass · cadaverous · necrotic
Unpleasantly sharp-smelling
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
- penetratingPassing into or through
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
eye-watering · choking · noxious · caustic · ammonia · vinegary · sulfuric · chemical
stench
Powerfully offensive odor
effluvium · foulness · rankness · putridity · funk · whiff · emanation · smell · sulfurous · ammoniac
noisome
Extremely foul-smelling
offensive · repugnant · revolting · nauseating · noxious · vile · disgusting · loathsome · repulsive · sickening
putrid
Decomposed and foul-smelling
- rottingOrganic matter decomposing
- decomposingOrganic matter breaking down
- putrefyingDecaying with foul odor
spoiled · moldy · mildewed · festering · rancid · carrion · carcass · cadaverous · necrotic · gangrenous
acrid
Unpleasantly sharp-smelling
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
- penetratingPassing into or through
overpowering · eye-watering · choking · noxious · caustic · ammonia · vinegary · sulfuric · chemical · harsh
sweaty
Moist from exertion
fusty · armpit · flatulence · halitosis · feet · locker-room · stale · sour · grungy · grimy
sewage
Liquid refuse in drains
garbage · refuse · offal · slaughterhouse · tannery · sulfurous · industrial · effluent · sludge · manure
odor, deodorant, deodorize, deodorized, deodorizer, deodorants, malodor, deodorizers