INCENSE Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

incense 1 of 3

noun

ˈin-ˌsen(t)s

Definition of incense

as in scent

a sweet or pleasant smell the heavenly incense of spring flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 incense

Noun

Also represented are smaller artifacts, including beads, amulets, and incense burners. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 6 July 2026 The Mass, rich in velvet and gold-trimmed vestments, chanting and incense, was livestreamed on the society’s YouTube channel, with simultaneous explanations in several languages. — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Verb

His denunciation so incensed far-right Israelis that a number of activists were detained while protesting his son’s bar mitzvah in Jerusalem the next year, Emanuel recalled. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 Gin up such a feeble procedural explanation for the sudden reversal that the entire sporting globe becomes incensed over the garbage-y scent of an inside job. — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for incense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incense

Noun

Packed with antioxidants, this formula helps defend against UV damage from sun exposure while leaving behind a vacation-worthy tropical scent.

— Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
In some ultra-competitive genres—Northern soul, hip-hop, jungle—selectors have been known to cover up the center stickers of their records, or leave white labels unmarked, to throw boothsnooping DJs off the scent.

— Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 18 July 2026

Definition of scent

Noun

But amid the praise, Clark made sure to commend her teammates, too.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 18 July 2026
While the building initially drew praise for its architecture and ambitious curatorial direction, a subsequent Curbed investigation introduced a more complicated picture of the project.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of praise

Verb

Crinum lilies laugh at drought, don't need fertilizer, and welcome hot, humid summers with lily-like flowers that perfume the air.

— Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
It’s served in a colorful goblet with a stick of fragrant palo santo, which your server will light to perfume the drink before your first sip.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026

Definition of perfume

Noun

Sanghee, who has a day job importing snacks and shoots short films in her spare time, spends two days with the family as old secrets, unsolicited advice and hollow flattery come to the surface.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2026
Rutte’s approach of using flattery to win over the president prompted some to question whether this had delivered any tangible benefits for the alliance.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 July 2026

Definition of flattery

Verb

Speaking to them on the phone is infuriating since most of the conversation is about what’s going on with Kaden.

— Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
A week before Wembanyama agreed to that contract, the Boston Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to the division-rival Philadelphia 76ers for a surprisingly meager package, which infuriated much of their fanbase.

— Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of infuriate

Noun

Next is Panthea Parker, a woman whose last name follows her first name like aroma follows a cup of coffee.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 July 2026
Japanese Sansho pepper brings a vibrant citrus aroma, combined with a somehow-mild, tingling heat that leaves a temporary numbing sensation on the tongue.

— Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of aroma

Browse Nearby Words

incendiary

incense

incensed

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“Incense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incense. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of incense

noun

verb (1)

verb (2)

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