1
2
as in senses
to have a vague awareness of
I smell something fishy about this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in scents
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 splashes
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 auras
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 smells
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025
Soiled, Moldy, or Infested Items Clothing or furniture that smells of mildew, has visible stains, or has been stored in a rodent- or insect-infested environment should be discarded, never donated.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2025
And this smells almost identical, except somehow way more elegant.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
The cathedral smells strongly of myrrh oil from Jerusalem.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
No platform tells you what the store smells like.
—Joel Goldstein, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
No one wants to use a bathroom that smells stale (or worse).
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
If the egg smells unpleasant or has discoloration, discard the egg.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
Plus, the cedar wood smells amazing.
—Sierra Shafer, Outside, 28 Aug. 2025
Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Step inside and be greeted by the earthy smells of the past, and you’ll be quickly transported back in time, to childhood or beyond.
—Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Fabric deodorizer spray Consider making an all-natural fabric refresher to get rid of those unwanted smells.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
This prevents buildup from getting baked on, which can be much harder to clean later and can lead to unpleasant smells and stains.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Universal Hollywood’s 2023 Holidayz in Hell maze took guests through hellish versions of celebrations like Thanksgiving, where the turkey got its revenge on a family as the savory smells of the traditional dinner and fixings filled the room.
—Julie Tremaine, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But, neglecting to clean the drip tray for too long can lead to dangerous grease fires, unwanted pests, and rotting smells.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
My favorite thing about them is the anti-odor insole technology, which keeps any bad smells at bay even after walking miles in them.
—Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2025
Behavioral tests confirmed that the mice that had experienced this axon loss were less adept at detecting and discriminating between smells.
—New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
Vrabel probably smells blood in the water.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025
Soiled, Moldy, or Infested Items Clothing or furniture that smells of mildew, has visible stains, or has been stored in a rodent- or insect-infested environment should be discarded, never donated.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2025
And this smells almost identical, except somehow way more elegant.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025
The cathedral smells strongly of myrrh oil from Jerusalem.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
No platform tells you what the store smells like.
—Joel Goldstein, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
No one wants to use a bathroom that smells stale (or worse).
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
If the egg smells unpleasant or has discoloration, discard the egg.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
Plus, the cedar wood smells amazing.
—Sierra Shafer, Outside, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
New & Noteworthy Say goodbye to sticky skin and unpleasant smells!
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Step inside and be greeted by the earthy smells of the past, and you’ll be quickly transported back in time, to childhood or beyond.
—Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Fabric deodorizer spray Consider making an all-natural fabric refresher to get rid of those unwanted smells.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
This prevents buildup from getting baked on, which can be much harder to clean later and can lead to unpleasant smells and stains.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Universal Hollywood’s 2023 Holidayz in Hell maze took guests through hellish versions of celebrations like Thanksgiving, where the turkey got its revenge on a family as the savory smells of the traditional dinner and fixings filled the room.
—Julie Tremaine, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But, neglecting to clean the drip tray for too long can lead to dangerous grease fires, unwanted pests, and rotting smells.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
My favorite thing about them is the anti-odor insole technology, which keeps any bad smells at bay even after walking miles in them.
—Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2025
Behavioral tests confirmed that the mice that had experienced this axon loss were less adept at detecting and discriminating between smells.
—New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smells
Verb
-
At first, the curious canine sniffs a paw, but soon follows the trail straight to the source—the black dog's ear.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Hired by Leo's sister-in-law (Shailene Woodley), Detective Bali sniffs out the winding secrets of the powerful Vardakis family, unraveling a crime of passion.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The technology senses vehicle speed and terrain and automatically adjusts the suspension to keep the vehicle level.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Maizy ends up meeting convincing city slicker Gordy (played by Quinn VanAntwerp), who senses the opportunity to take these small town’s woes and turn them into cash.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Unlike fires in wilderness areas, which mostly consume vegetation, this breed of urban conflagration sucks up buildings, cars and their contents, spitting hazards well beyond the burn area.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
If a triatomine bites and sucks the blood of an infected host, the bug then becomes a carrier for the parasite.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Laura Ashley has also worked with fragrance specialists Freckleface on a handmade candle called Vintage 100 that combines two of Laura’s favorite scents, English rose and wild blackberries.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
For something more accessible, try it with Bath & Body Works’ Vanilla Bean Noel or any of EOS’s body lotions, particularly their vanilla or coconut scents.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The water-resistant outer material guards your essentials against splashes, while elastic straps and multiple pockets help keep your bottles upright.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
-
And the American redstart — a jetblack little fellow with orange splashes — pretty much stopped breeding here in the early 2000s.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the headphones, meant to unify the audience in a shared soundscape, instead isolate viewers into their glowing silos, which feels like an ironic choice for a show supposedly about communal grief.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The idea that new technology can flip the odds of catching a thief or recovering a child feels like progress.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Attractive light orange color; aromas of orange roses, persimmon and a hint of cardamon.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
For the most delicious variety, food enthusiasts should follow the aromas to the most concentrated locations with bold gastronomic ambitions.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Check out our hints and answers right here.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
For Driscoll, hints of trouble began even before the inauguration, the lawsuit alleges.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smells. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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