1
as in sniffing
to become aware of by means of the sense organs in the nose
we smelled the aroma of freshly baked cookies as soon as we walked in the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in sensing
to have a vague awareness of
I smell something fishy about this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of smelling
Especially when that includes boarding a Christmastime caboose brimming with holiday decor, smelling hot cocoa wafting through the cars, and enjoying plenty of picturesque views.
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Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
Deep in the forest, the air whips by cold and fast and smelling of redwoods.
—Nick Czap, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
These stories inspired the medieval belief that smelling rosemary on Christmas Eve would bring a year of good luck, health, and happiness.
—Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 20 Dec. 2024
The sticky, putrid-smelling slime that coats its surface contains the mushroom’s spores.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Some prefer the easy, maintenance-free artificial trees while others prefer the real, Christmas-pine smelling tree.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2024
Infused with peony, rose water, and pink sea salt for a fresh, yummy-smelling shower, the wash moisturizes and soothes skin with ease.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
These deals are your one-way ticket to smelling like candy apple, snowflake, vanilla, peppermint goodness 24/7.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 13 Dec. 2024
You'll be left with smoother, soothed, and delicious-smelling skin.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
Deep in the forest, the air whips by cold and fast and smelling of redwoods.
—Nick Czap, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
These stories inspired the medieval belief that smelling rosemary on Christmas Eve would bring a year of good luck, health, and happiness.
—Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 20 Dec. 2024
The sticky, putrid-smelling slime that coats its surface contains the mushroom’s spores.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Some prefer the easy, maintenance-free artificial trees while others prefer the real, Christmas-pine smelling tree.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2024
Infused with peony, rose water, and pink sea salt for a fresh, yummy-smelling shower, the wash moisturizes and soothes skin with ease.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
These deals are your one-way ticket to smelling like candy apple, snowflake, vanilla, peppermint goodness 24/7.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 13 Dec. 2024
You'll be left with smoother, soothed, and delicious-smelling skin.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smelling
Verb
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Security and bomb sniffing dogs were visible in and around the venue on Thursday, along with local police and FBI personnel.Calvin Milliner, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2025
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Throughout the prime of his Bills career, Milano was known for sniffing out screens and misdirection plays, being the only defender in the area and finishing the play to limit what could have been a big gain.Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The microwaved grape trick also shows their promise as alternative microwave resonators for quantum sensing applications, according to the authors of this latest paper.Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
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Feline eyes also contain the same color-sensing cones as humans, but this doesn't mean our visions are the same, VCA Animal Hospitals reports.Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Directed by Robert Eggers, the gothic horror film sees newlyweds Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) and Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) haunted by the treacherous, blood-sucking Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard).EW.com, EW.com, 30 Dec. 2024
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This time around, even critics were convinced, joining in with libidinous fans to praise the blood-sucking second season, which was recently nominated for two Critics Choice Awards after being largely snubbed by voting bodies last year.Elaina Patton, NBC News, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Tanning nasal sprays have entered the illicit tanning market as a way to get a sunless tan by inhaling a squirt of the product through your nose.Marisa Garshick, Verywell Health, 30 Dec. 2024
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From Grateful Dead shows to the dawn of the rave scene, people have been inhaling the gas to get high for decades.Ben Dandridge-Lemco, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In particular, health districts and hospitals are seeing more flu and pertussis, known as whooping cough.Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 5 Jan. 2025
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The games have been about playing spoiler in the NFC playoff picture and seeing what on this 2024 roster is transferrable to the future.Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
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For those who don't know the back story, the pretty colors might get in the way of accurately perceiving this bike.Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024
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All that needs to happen are people perceiving moral infractions.Callum Booth, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Cottonwood Old Town Cottonwood is a pedestrian haven where visitors can explore a cluster of wine-tasting rooms, art galleries and restaurants.Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025
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As of late, matcha has become an especially popular drink on social media, with users making their own at home or tasting different offerings from coffee shops around town.Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to smelling
Thesaurus Entries Near smelling
Cite this Entry
“Smelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smelling. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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