Synonyms of smell

smell 1 of 2

verb

ˈsmel 

1

as in to sniff

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

• sniff
• inhale
• scent
• whiff
• snuff
• nose
• breathe
• drink (in)
• respire
• snort
• savor
• snuffle

2

as in to sense

to have a vague awareness of

I smell something fishy about this situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sense
• feel
• see
• taste
• notice
• hear
• perceive
• scent
• sight
• realize
• expect
• look (at)
• anticipate
• note
• eye
• learn
• discover
• discern
• view
• find out
• witness
• remark
• divine
• behold
• suspect
• distinguish
• ascertain
• foresee
• guess
• observe
• spy
• suppose
• espy
• regard
• descry
• presume
• catch on (to)
• assume
• speculate
• surmise
• foreknow
• conjecture

3

as in to suck

to be objectionable or unsatisfactory

that movie smells—I wouldn't waste my money on it if I were you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suck
• bite
• stink

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rule
• rock

smell

2 of 2

noun

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

• scent
• aroma
• stench
• sniff
• fragrance
• odor
• redolence
• whiff
• perfume
• fragrancy
• stink
• attar
• rankness
• malodor
• musk
• rancidity
• fetor
• bouquet
• reek
• funk
• tang
• lusciousness
• spice
• savor
• foulness
• incense
• ambrosia
• aromaticity
• savoriness
• fetidness
• gaminess
• acridness
• odorousness
• noisomeness
• odoriferousness

2

as in hint

a very small amount

the pie has barely a smell of ginger, but lots of cinnamon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hint
• splash
• glimmer
• speck
• sprinkling
• shred
• touch
• lick
• bit
• little
• trace
• particle
• tad
• spark
• dab
• handful
• suspicion
• spatter
• ounce
• taste
• ray
• smack
• crumb
• peanuts
• dram
• streak
• smidgen
• pinch
• sliver
• shade
• scintilla
• fleck
• scruple
• mite
• spot
• strain
• nip
• bite
• dash
• soupçon
• shadow
• drop in the bucket
• minimum
• ace
• drop
• dose
• portion
• grain
• molecule
• skosh
• driblet
• whit
• snap
• patch
• semblance
• syllable
• vestige
• modicum
• atom
• mote
• nibble
• iota
• part
• jot
• granule
• dot
• morsel
• fragment
• section
• scrap
• minim
• hoot
• scattering
• shiver
• tittle
• smattering
• flake
• splinter
• flyspeck
• shaving
• clipping
• nubbin
• chip
• shard
• tatter
• smatter
• paring
• smithereens
• shot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• quantity
• pile
• abundance
• mess
• deal
• loads
• wealth
• lot
• stack
• mountain
• mass
• plenty
• barrel
• bucket
• profusion
• bundle
• heaps
• bushel
• volume
• wad
• raft
• peck
• fistful
• reams
• surplus
• excess
• gobs
• boatload
• lashings
• embarrassment
• overflow
• much
• oodles
• potful
• scads
• overabundance
• oversupply
• surfeit
• passel
• slab
• superfluity
• superabundance
• bonanza
• lump
• chunk
• hunk
• overage
• overkill
• overmuch

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

• aura
• aroma
• atmosphere
• air
• odor
• feel
• flavor
• sense
• feeling
• ambience
• mood
• climate
• patina
• halo
• karma
• temper
• nimbus
• vibration(s)
• note
• romance
• mystique
• sensation
• characteristic
• image
• aureole
• spirit
• property
• illusion
• trait
• attribute
• tone
• peculiarity
• notion
• semblance
• color
• suggestion
• genius loci
• picture
• overtone
• character
• mark

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun smell contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of smell are aroma, odor, and scent. While all these words mean "the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense," smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

When is it sensible to use aroma instead of smell?

The meanings of aroma and smell largely overlap; however, aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

How are the words odor and smell related?

Odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

When could scent be used to replace smell?

Although the words scent and smell have much in common, scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of smell

Verb

Spritzing perfume has always been about smelling good. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026

Residents have reported seeing ash fall from the sky as a result, and are also reporting smelling the smoke as the fires rage across the landscape. —Anna McAllister, CBS News, 17 June 2026

Noun

Keeping Away Pests The alluring smell of a fresh cup of joe does not have the same effect on insects and pests like snails and slugs. —Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 17 June 2026

The machine whirs to life, the smell of hot plastic slowly seeping into the air. —Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026