1
2
as in to sense
to have a vague awareness of
I smell something fishy about this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
2
as in splash
a very small amount
the pie has barely a smell of ginger, but lots of cinnamon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smell
Essence, 23 Sep. 2025
Body of knowledge Our primary senses typically decline with age in a specific order, beginning with hearing and vision, followed by taste and smell.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
The researchers’ first step was to systematically observe what insects visited the flowers and then compare the flowers’ scent to the smells of various insects.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Verb
Nzingah Oniwosan, a holistic health consultant, engages in a range of activities five to six days a week and uses this method to manage sweat and smells.
—Essence, 23 Sep. 2025
Body of knowledge Our primary senses typically decline with age in a specific order, beginning with hearing and vision, followed by taste and smell.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Over the following three weeks, dogs learn the sights, smells and rhythms of their new home, meeting new human and animal companions and discovering their new walking routes, food and sleeping spots.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
The researchers’ first step was to systematically observe what insects visited the flowers and then compare the flowers’ scent to the smells of various insects.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
Verb
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But the little dog isn’t tempted to even sniff it.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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His boss seems unusually chill with the deception, mostly because this lad might be helpful for sniffing out other moles and double agents in their field.—
Vulture Editors,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Ballers seemed to sense the moment, almost from the outset.—
Devin Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
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Darren Rizzi sensed trouble just before the fateful snap against Indianapolis.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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All of the force, all the deadly, lethal force, really does seem to be on the fascist right now, which really sucks.—
Nikki McCann Ramirez,
Rolling Stone,
22 Sep. 2025
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These sprays suffocate mites as well as the other sucking insects mentioned above.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For Amarteifio, scent has always been deeply tied to memory.—
Lizzie Hyman,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
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Natural Rat Repellent Methods Rats are known to have a strong sense of smell, so many effective methods involve scents that keep them at bay.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While parents unwind at the spa or shop for resort wear at the excellent on-site clothing boutique, children can head to the kids’ club, a hillside complex with an adventure playground, modeled after a Spanish farmhouse, with a wet splash zone and a shallow pool.—
Siobhan Reid,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Sep. 2025
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For families, the massive pool, complete with twisting water slides and splash pads, is a major draw.—
Christine Chitnis,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Our foul, flatulent father-figure may exaggerate a bit when belittling his enemies (and friends, for that matter), but cloaked under his aura of filth — like an adult Pig-Pen’s toxic dust cloud — rests a core truth.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
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Dodging its attacks against the trainers is paramount, as is collecting aura that can power up your own Pokémon to do their own temporary Mega Evolutions.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Simply inhaling for four counts and exhaling for four counts brings oxygen to your muscles, reducing the emotion's intensity and relaxing the body.—
Juli Fraga,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
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Medicines needing to be inhaled or smoked are prohibited unless in a prescribed inhaler.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Professional ambitions feel at odds with relationship needs.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
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So when McCoy jumped a route and intercepted a pass from Appalachian State quarterback AJ Swann on Saturday night, seeing nothing but 26 yards of open blue turf and the orange end zone ahead of him, the ensuing pick-six felt like a pressurized balloon was burst.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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