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

The fragrance features top notes of bergamot, basil and saffron, with mid notes of wild fig, agarwood, pinot noir accord and base notes of incense, papyrus and black amber. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

The smell of freshly ground espresso and incense fills the air, and staff speak to patients in hushed, discreet tones, almost as if discussing state secrets. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Verb

The smokejumpers ultimately kept their jobs, but the episode incensed the Alaska crew. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

The picketers, a constant presence outside the 70-year-old park, were particularly incensed about Lolita the orca, who died two years earlier after decades in captivity. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026