make a stink

verb

To complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.

“If nothing happens when you ask nicely, make a stink until something gets done.”

Similar
raise hellraise a stink
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Meanings

verbmake a stink (third-person singular simple present makes a stink, present participle making a stink, simple past and past participle made a stink)

present singular third person makes a stink · participle present making a stink · participle past made a stink · past made a stink

  1. colloquialTo complain; to demand attention or remedy for a problem.

    If nothing happens when you ask nicely, make a stink until something gets done.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbtake strong and forceful action, as to object or express discontent

Similar
raise hellraise a stink
Broader
object
Also see
complainraise a stinkraise hell

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Cite this entry
APA

make a stink. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/make%20a%20stink

MLA

“make a stink.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/make%20a%20stink. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “make a stink,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/make%20a%20stink.

Source: make a stink on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.