Rankness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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rankness

[ˈraNGknəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in behavior

The quality of being offensive or morally wrong; the state of being obnoxious or unpleasant.

Synonyms

obnoxiousness, offensiveness, unpleasantness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
rankness	This word is typically used to describe an intense and often overpowering foul smell or taste. It can also describe something that is exceedingly offensive or shocking. The rankness of the garbage made the whole alley unbearable. Her rankness in accusing her friend without evidence was shocking to everyone present.
offensiveness	This word is appropriate when talking about something that causes anger, hurt, or resentment, often because it is rude or shows a lack of respect. It conveys a strong negative sentiment. The offensiveness of his comments caused an uproar in the community. The movie was criticized for its offensiveness towards certain cultures.
obnoxiousness	This word is used when someone's behavior is extremely unpleasant or irritating, often causing annoyance or hostility. It carries a highly negative connotation. His obnoxiousness at the meeting made it hard for anyone to concentrate. She couldn't stand his obnoxiousness any longer and decided to leave the party early.
unpleasantness	This word is often used to describe something that is not enjoyable or gives discomfort. It is less intense than other options and can refer to both physical and emotional experiences. The unpleasantness of the cold wind made the walk less enjoyable. There was a notable unpleasantness in their conversation after the disagreement.

Examples of usage

His rankness was evident in the way he treated others with disrespect.
The rankness of his actions left a sour taste in everyone's mouth.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in smell

The strong, unpleasant smell or taste of something decaying or putrefying.

Synonyms

foulness, putridity, stench.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
rankness	Best used to describe a strong, unpleasant smell, usually of something organic that has decayed or gone bad. It has a more intense connotation compared to other words listed. The rankness of the garbage made it impossible to stay in the room There was a rankness in the air after the heavy rain
stench	Generally used to describe a strong, unpleasant odor. Unlike 'putridity' or 'rankness', 'stench' can be used for both organic and inorganic sources. The stench of the sewer was overwhelming The stench of burnt plastic lingered in the air
foulness	Utilized to describe something that has an offensive odor, taste, or appearance. It can also apply to moral depravity or corruption, giving it a broad range of negative connotations. The foulness of the swamp was unbearable His foulness of character made him widely disliked
putridity	Specifically refers to the smell of something that is rotting or decaying. It is often used in scientific or descriptive contexts to emphasize the advanced stage of decomposition. The putridity of the carcass indicated it had been dead for several days The air was filled with putridity from the decaying fruit

Examples of usage

The rankness of the garbage left out for days was overwhelming.
The rankness of the old cheese made her gag.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'rankness'

The word 'rankness' originated from the Middle English word 'ranke' which meant strong-smelling or overripe. Over the years, its meaning evolved to include offensive behavior or unpleasantness. The word has been used in English literature to describe both moral repugnance and foul odors, reflecting its dual nature.

See also: outrank, rank, rankable, ranked, ranking, rankings.