Synonyms of incense

incense 1 of 3

noun

ˈin-ˌsen(t)s 

1

as in scent

a sweet or pleasant smell

the heavenly incense of spring flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scent
• fragrance
• aroma
• perfume
• fragrancy
• balm
• attar
• spice
• bouquet
• redolence
• essence
• odor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stench
• stink
• reek
• fetor
• malodor

2

as in butter

excessive praise

count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the head office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• butter
• praise
• flattery
• taffy
• sweet talk
• adoration
• adulation
• worship
• soft soap
• acclaim
• flannel
• respects
• caresses
• blarney
• idolatry
• greetings
• overpraise
• compliments
• blandishments
• applause
• endearments
• regards
• congratulations
• allurements
• felicitations
• sycophancy
• cajolery
• fawning
• ingratiation
• toadying
• cajolement
• smarm
• commendation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• depreciation
• disparagement
• detraction
• belittlement
• bad-mouthing
• put-down

incense

2 of 3

verb (1)

in-ˈsen(t)s 

as in to anger

to make angry

the insult so incensed him that he had to be restrained from hitting the guy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anger
• infuriate
• enrage
• outrage
• annoy
• irritate
• ire
• offend
• mad
• steam up
• rile
• inflame
• roil
• tick off
• madden
• rankle
• rub the wrong way
• provoke
• cross
• nettle
• aggravate
• huff
• ruffle
• affront
• get one's goat
• put out
• exasperate
• burn (up)
• peeve
• antagonize
• vex
• pique
• get
• miff
• envenom
• embitter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• please
• delight
• relieve
• gratify
• comfort
• allay
• assuage
• soothe
• console
• appease
• placate
• calm
• charm
• pacify
• quiet
• conciliate
• settle
• lull
• mollify
• disarm
• enchant
• beguile
• bewitch
• captivate

incense

3 of 3

verb (2)

ˈin-ˌsen(t)s 

as in to scent

to fill or infuse with a pleasant odor or odor-releasing substance

the gift shop was heavily incensed with a cloying mixture of herbal essences

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scent
• perfume
• odorize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deodorize
• stink up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of incense

Noun

Looked at together — a censer of incense in Liuxia, a slab of gold brick in Deji — the two businesses are making a similar bet. — Li Jun, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Inspired by Somali resin incense, Matière Première’s Encens Suave explores the sensual side of incense, pairing it with Andalusian labdanum absolute and Laotian benzoin. — Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026

Verb

Then came the lapse in coverage that incensed Bowles and many others wearing creamsicle that night. — Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

The duo's defiance paved the way for a resolution to condemn socialism, a key election-year messaging bill for the GOP that drew glaring defections among Democrats, many of whom were incensed at the turn of events. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026