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
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Recent Examples of smell
Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 14 Apr. 2025
After even a short amount of time, a home with high humidity will begin to smell musty and grow mold.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
Several residents called to report the smell to the department, Huntersville fire said in a post on X Tuesday.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Verb
Instead of stopping the supplement, consider the following treatments or changes:
Dietary changes: Your diet can greatly affect how your poop smells.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 14 Apr. 2025
After even a short amount of time, a home with high humidity will begin to smell musty and grow mold.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
The color scheme, the smell of grass, the annual screening of VeggieTales: An Easter Carol, which is the same story as Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, except that it’s set at Easter and all the characters are vegetables who work in a factory (the Scrooge character is a zucchini).
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
Several residents called to report the smell to the department, Huntersville fire said in a post on X Tuesday.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
Verb
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Even more recent examples have struggled to maintain their early chart success, like Capaldi, who was touted as a male Adele after sending two songs to the top ten in 2019 and 2020, but has barely sniffed the Hot 100 since.—
Justin Curto,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2025
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Drama, romance and a thriller plot ensue as Frank tries to sniff out a dangerous stalker, with the final act playing out as Rachel wins the Best Picture Academy Award.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Stack can sense that death is coming for the old man.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
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The study also found that movement positively impacted interoception, or the ability to sense internal states, which is foundational for emotional regulation and stress recovery.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 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
Verb
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But inhaling enough can turn the act of breathing into an existential hazard, prompting or worsening asthma, COPD, respiratory infections, and permanent lung damage.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2025
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Another great one is the 4-7-8 breath, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system: inhale for four counts, hold for seven and exhale slowly for eight.—
Michelle Stansbury,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In what felt like just a few seconds, the motion subsided, and my seat retreated back to the deck.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Extensive testing showed no genetic or environmental cause for her son’s condition, yet Hess felt somehow culpable.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Now in their early to mid-30s, both authors have seen their stories grow into global phenomena, with millions of readers and successful film adaptations.—
Veronica Villafañe,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Aboard the Carpathia and in later accounts, survivors told horrific tales of seeing fellow passengers struggling in the water around them.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Use a dense, creamy whole-milk ricotta that smells dairy-fresh and tastes milky and mildly sweet.—
Wire Report,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2025
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From ceviche stations to a food hall ripped straight from Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road, the home of F1 in Miami tastes like, well, Miami.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Turn Overcoming Fear Into A Daily Game Make it into a game to notice your vulnerabilities and find your courage.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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People can improve their ability to notice and feel this positive emotion.—
Monica Y. Bartlett,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
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