Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fragrant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fragrant are aromatic, odorous, and redolent. While all these words mean "emitting and diffusing scent," fragrant applies to things (such as flowers or spices) with sweet or agreeable odors.

a fragrant rose

When might aromatic be a better fit than fragrant?

The meanings of aromatic and fragrant largely overlap; however, aromatic applies to things emitting pungent often fresh odors.

an aromatic blend of tobaccos

When is it sensible to use odorous instead of fragrant?

The synonyms odorous and fragrant are sometimes interchangeable, but odorous applies to whatever has a strong distinctive smell whether pleasant or unpleasant.

odorous cheeses should be tightly wrapped

When is redolent a more appropriate choice than fragrant?

The words redolent and fragrant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, redolent applies usually to a place or thing impregnated with odors.

the kitchen was redolent of garlic and tomatoes

Examples 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 fragrant Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the herbs are fragrant. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024 Add garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly golden, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024 Art Basel Paris 2024 proved a fragrant affair, as spearheaded both by LVMH’s heritage maison Guerlain and a collaboration between new interdisciplinary platform Reference Times and emerging artificial intelligence based Algorithmic Perfumery EveryHuman. Stephanie Hirschmiller, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 The chile season, which lasts from late summer through the fall and envelops New Mexico in a haze of fragrant smoke from all the roasting, had begun a few weeks earlier. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fragrant 

Thesaurus Entries Near fragrant

Cite this Entry

“Fragrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragrant. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on fragrant

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