1
2
as in to sense
to have a vague awareness of
I smell something fishy about this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in scent
the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose
the smell of vanilla is supposed to be very soothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in splash
a very small amount
the pie has barely a smell of ginger, but lots of cinnamon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aura
a special quality or impression associated with something
a law firm with a mahogany-lined boardroom that has the discernible smell of money and power
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of smell
Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 May 2025
Odor repellents, usually sprays, contain ingredients that smell like sulfur to rabbits but are undetectable to humans.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 May 2025
Osayi Endolyn, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2025
Despite the district not naming the source of the smell, some social media users last week attributed the school’s odor to mold.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Verb
Developed especially for cooks, this luxe soap exfoliates, moisturizes, and even neutralizes garlic and onion smells.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 May 2025
Odor repellents, usually sprays, contain ingredients that smell like sulfur to rabbits but are undetectable to humans.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 May 2025
Noun
The caller is one of his local farmer partners who has just walked their orchards to touch, smell, and taste the fruit.
—Osayi Endolyn, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2025
Despite the district not naming the source of the smell, some social media users last week attributed the school’s odor to mold.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
Verb
-
Last year, before his arrest, a video of Jordan allegedly sniffing an unidentified white substance went viral, resulting in social media criticism.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
20 May 2025
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In the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, Carlos worked with dogs trained to sniff out bombs and improvised explosive devices during one of the most stressful periods of his two decades in the military.—
Daniel Bean,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
The sympathetic nervous system is activated when the body senses a threat, and the adrenal glands release cortisol.—
Helen Carefoot,
Verywell Health,
16 May 2025
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Babies can often pull off some pretty astonishing stuff—like sensing emotions and understanding math—according to several studies.—
Leslie Garisto Pfaff,
Parents,
15 May 2025
Verb
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That’s the fun thing for me, is there’s no reason the next one couldn’t suck back in and be a chamber piece again.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Sep. 2022
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Despite its appearance, the hummingbird’s tongue doesn't suck up nectar like a drinking straw.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
There’s a fragrance-free option, which dries down to have zero scent on the skin.—
Kristin Canning,
Wired News,
21 May 2025
-
In language as deft and muscular as Rosa’s team, Drexler captures the scent of the blood and the resin, every wisecrack and sob story, every flake of talc and gob of spit, every pimple and blackhead on the lady wrestlers’ thighs.—
Lauren Elkin,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Rumors have begun circulating about the possibility of the Celtics making a major splash to acquire Flagg, a lifelong fan of the team.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
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The ambitious arthouse studio , which made a big splash with The Substance this past awards season, is growing fast and aiming high.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
The aura is a hip, wide-open two-floor plan that breaks down traditional barriers, is inclusive and invites collaboration.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
21 May 2025
-
Despite this, there is one thing that Hogan did unbelievably well that many WWE Superstars have trouble matching to this day: his aura and presentation.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 May 2025
Verb
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As months and years of data arrived, Keeling’s rigorous work revealed two global phenomena: Earth’s plants inhaling CO2 each summer and exhaling it each winter, and CO2 levels’ unrelenting annual increase.—
Ashley Braun,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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Workers who inhaled Teflon fumes developed flu-like symptoms.—
Mariah Blake,
The Atlantic,
5 May 2025
Verb
-
This series feels a lot more important than a late-May series should feel.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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The keyboard is large and comfortable, with a few points deducted for HP's insistence on cramped arrow keys, and the touchpad feels good.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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