reeking 1 of 2

reeking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of reek
as in smelling
to give off an extremely unpleasant smell those old sneakers reek something awful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reeking
Verb
Today, a checkerboard of subdivisions crosses east to west, and the remaining grasslands are buried each day under reeking asphalt and rolls of turfgrass. Maggie Slepian, Longreads, 14 May 2026 And the smell is soft and pleasant, instead of reeking of alcohol. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026 Following the opening verse with the characterization of his lady’s eyes, Shakespeare proceeded to give a rundown of her other features in less than flattering terms, including her lips (pale), hair (wiry), voice (grating) and breath (reeking). David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026 Once Catalina was asleep, Pedro tossed his backpack, reeking of the day’s clothes, into the bedroom. Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026 When he was lugged in Saugus in 2011, reeking of cheap domestic lager, he was first told to turn off the engine in his unmarked MSP Crown Vic. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeking
Adjective
  • America’s political landscape has become a stinking mess.
    Mary Ellen Klas, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026
  • America’s political landscape has become a stinking mess.
    Mary Ellen Klas, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • Tough and compact, standing at 4 feet tall, these gorgeous roses ensure a sweet-smelling and visually appealing presence.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026
  • Dust mites and humidity can also lead to a musty-smelling mattress.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • Inspired by bare skin, ripe fruit, and long days in the sun, the fragrance pairs juicy fig, pear, and bergamot with creamy coconut, jasmine, vanilla, and musks for a scent that feels like a tropical getaway bottled up.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 June 2026
  • The warmer, lower vineyards of San Casciano, nearer Florence, lean towards soft, ripe and approachable fruit.
    Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • The bleak tortures Ohm concocts for his characters are as vile as the Bilberry’s fetid jacuzzi.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The evolutionary advantage of fetid roses was that their odor deterred animal herds that grazed in their habitat.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Skunks can cause anxiety in homeowners by harming lawns and possibly threatening Rover with their malodorous defenses.
    Felicia Feaster, Martha Stewart, 20 June 2026
  • Be advised that only a small fraction of arums are malodorous.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • Aranda slapped an outside changeup on a line down the leftfield line, and the ball struck the screen on the fair side of foul pole for a three-run homer.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2026
  • Almiron and Mulder exchanged words following a foul near midfield.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • Besides food particles being trapped in the dishwasher, mold and mildew can also cause a smelly dishwasher.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
  • Add a new dryer sheet to smelly shoes and boots to help freshen them.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • And a great bench of freelancers is making this all-American game feel dramatic, approachable, and exciting—even to filthy casuals.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 June 2026
  • But, the freedom loving sane people of this great country came to Karoline's defense to show support, destroy the filthy LIBS and celebrate the greatest press secretary this country has ever employed.
    Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reeking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeking. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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