stink bug
Americannoun
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any of numerous broad, flat bugs of the family Pentatomidae, that emit a disagreeable odor.
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any of various other malodorous bugs.
Etymology
Origin of stink bug
An Americanism dating back to 1875–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I’ve never touched a gun nor smote anything larger than a stink bug.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025
The growing wasps use the stink bug eggs for food.
From NewsForKids.net • Apr. 15, 2024
Invasive species in the U.S. like hammerhead worms, spotted lanternflies, murder hornets, and the brown marmorated stink bug, are all from Asia.
From National Geographic • Aug. 4, 2023
Native to Asia, the brown marmorated stink bug was introduced on the U.S.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2022
Very few birds ever touch a stink bug.
From The Insect Folk by Morley, Margaret Warner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
