to make a stink

Examples

• All

• They're gonna make a stink at the meeting.

  The Descendants (2011)

• This woman plans to make a stink.

  Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)

• The left media will make a stink about this, but this is the fire that changes votes.

  Blog text (13)

• I'm not gonna make a stink.

  Missing (1982)

• Or he can make a stink with the San Jose government.

  Fiction book (1990)

• The EPA is going to make a stink about power lines.

  Fiction book (1992)

• All of our career experts agreed that it probably isn't wise to make a stink about the situation.

  Blog text (12)

• It wasn't his style to make a stink or even to file an objection of the mildest sort.

  Fiction book (2000)

• We need to make a stink about the unfair treatment of workers in the factory.

• She decided to make a stink at the town hall meeting to address the new policy.

Synonyms

P

to protest

vsto make a stink

283 3.2

To show strong disagreement in public, often by joining a march or strike

is more informal and focused on loud attention rather than formal action

D

to demonstrate

vsto make a stink

74 3.2

Join a public protest to show strong opposition

shares public protest aspect but is less about loud vocal complaint alone

C

to clamor

vsto make a stink

• US

51 6.1

To shout loudly to demand something, often with other people

is similar but often indicates an individual or attention-seeking complaint

M

to make a scene

vsto make a stink

• Informal

45 4.9

Act loudly in public to show strong feeling and get attention

is the same public attention but focuses more on vocal complaint

R

to rail

vsto make a stink

42 7.1

To complain angrily about something

is similar but usually stresses attracting public attention more clearly

P

to protest against

vsto make a stink

40 3.6

To show in public that you strongly disagree with something

is similar but often has a more informal, attention-seeking tone

M

to make a fuss

vsto make a stink

22 3.0

Complain loudly about something small

is like this but often used for stronger, more targeted public protest

R

to raise hell

vsto make a stink

• NSFW

15 7.9

Behave loudly and angrily to cause trouble

is about public loud complaint aimed at attention rather than causing disorder

C

to cry foul

vsto make a stink

11 5.6

Complain loudly in public that a decision is unfair

is broader, covering loud attention-seeking objections beyond specific unfairness

S

to sound off

vsto make a stink

• Informal

9 7.0

To say your opinion or complain loudly and openly

expresses similar loud public protest but aims more at attention seeking

R

to raise a stink

vsto make a stink

2 7.4

To complain loudly and make people notice the problem

is the same idea but described in a more casual phrase

K

to kick up a fuss

vsto make a stink

• Informal

2 6.4

Complain loudly about something small

is comparable but usually refers to a more serious public objection

F

to fulminate

vsto make a stink

• Formal

1 9.0

To speak or write very angrily against something to show strong criticism

covers loud public objection but with less formal intensity

F

to fulminate against

vsto make a stink

• Formal

1 9.9

Angrily criticize someone or something

matches public protest but is less focused on planned denunciation

V

to voice a grievance

vsto make a stink

• Formal

6.3

To express a complaint or concern, often publicly

is more informal and noisy, aiming to attract public attention quickly

Antonyms

A

to accept

∞ 3.5

To tolerate an unpleasant situation without complaining

B

to be quiet

231 1.0

To stop making noise or talking

How Loudly

to protest

283 3.2

to make a stink

• Informal

4 6.8

to voice a grievance

• Formal

6.3

to grumble

41 3.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology