stink bomb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “stink bomb” mean?
A small device designed to release a foul-smelling odor when activated, typically used as a prank or protest.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small device designed to release a foul-smelling odor when activated, typically used as a prank or protest.
Any situation, event, or thing that causes significant embarrassment, disruption, or public outrage due to its unpleasant nature or failure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use the term identically for the object and its metaphorical extensions.
Connotations
In both varieties, the literal term connotes juvenile humour or protest. The metaphorical use connotes a spectacular, smelly failure.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. The metaphorical use is slightly more frequent in American business/political journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “stink bomb” in a Sentence
The [prankster] set off a stink bomb in the [location].The [event/launch] turned into a complete stink bomb.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stink bomb” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The protestors threatened to stink-bomb the government offices.
- The hall was stink-bombed during the debate.
American English
- They planned to stink-bomb the rival fraternity's party.
- The theatre was stink-bombed on opening night.
adjective
British English
- It was a stink-bomb prank that evacuated the maths block.
- He's known for his stink-bomb antics.
American English
- The stink-bomb threat cleared the courtroom.
- A stink-bomb scenario is what the CEO feared most.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The new policy was a public relations stink bomb.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical/social studies of protest or prank culture.
Everyday
Literal: referring to a prank. Metaphorical: describing a smelly situation or embarrassing failure.
Technical
Rare. Could appear in chemistry or public safety contexts describing homemade chemical devices.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stink bomb”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stink bomb”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stink bomb”
- Using 'stinky bomb' (childish register). Using it in formal writing without clear metaphorical intent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a compound noun, written as two separate words. The hyphenated form 'stink-bomb' is used when acting as a verb or modifier (e.g., a stink-bomb attack).
Yes, but almost exclusively in its metaphorical sense to vividly describe a disastrous or scandalous situation. The literal use is too informal for most professional contexts.
A stink bomb releases a foul odor. A smoke bomb releases a dense cloud of smoke, used for signalling, entertainment, or as a diversion. They are different prank or protest devices.
In most jurisdictions, detonating a stink bomb in a public space or private property without permission is considered disorderly conduct, vandalism, or assault (if it causes distress/harm), and can have legal consequences.
A small device designed to release a foul-smelling odor when activated, typically used as a prank or protest.
Stink bomb is usually informal in register.
Stink bomb: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɪŋk ˌbɒm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɪŋk ˌbɑːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to drop/lay a stink bomb (metaphorical: to create a scandal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: STINK (bad smell) + BOMB (explosive device). It's a bomb that explodes with stink, not shrapnel.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FAILING/SCANDAL IS A FOUL SMELL; AN EMBARRASSING EVENT IS A MALODOROUS EXPLOSION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'stink bomb' LEAST likely to be used literally?