smelling salts
noun
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: a usually scented aromatic preparation of ammonium carbonate and ammonia water used as a stimulant and restorative
Examples of smelling salts in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
What Parents Can Do Parents should talk to their kids early about smelling salts before teens encounter them on the field or online.
—
Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
This was a brutal reality check; a sniff of the smelling salts Leeds have been working towards for the past two years.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2025
Players often use smelling salts for a quick jolt to their system.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2025
Mayfield likely will not suffer any negative effects on the field from not being able to use smelling salts.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
The ban only prohibits team employees from distributing smelling salts and other ammonia inhalants during pregame, halftime or games on the sideline or locker rooms.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The league sent a memo to teams on Tuesday explaining the decision to ban smelling salts and any other ammonia inhalant during pregame activities, games and halftime on the sideline or locker rooms.
—Josh Dubow, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025
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.
Kris Ann Valdez, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
This was a brutal reality check; a sniff of the smelling salts Leeds have been working towards for the past two years.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2025
Players often use smelling salts for a quick jolt to their system.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2025
Mayfield likely will not suffer any negative effects on the field from not being able to use smelling salts.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
The ban only prohibits team employees from distributing smelling salts and other ammonia inhalants during pregame, halftime or games on the sideline or locker rooms.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The league sent a memo to teams on Tuesday explaining the decision to ban smelling salts and any other ammonia inhalant during pregame activities, games and halftime on the sideline or locker rooms.
—Josh Dubow, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smelling salts.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smelling%20salts. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share