FUSTY Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fusty' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fusty are fetid , malodorous , musty , noisome , putrid , rank , and stinking . While all these words mean "bad-smelling," fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age. // a fusty attic // the musty odor of a damp cellar

Q: When can 'malodorous' be used instead of 'fusty'?

While the synonyms malodorous and fusty are close in meaning, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive. // malodorous fertilizers

Q: Where would 'noisome' be a reasonable alternative to 'fusty'?

The meanings of noisome and fusty largely overlap; however, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive. // a stagnant, noisome sewer

Q: When is it sensible to use 'putrid' instead of 'fusty'?

The synonyms putrid and fusty are sometimes interchangeable, but putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter. // the putrid smell of rotting fish

Q: When would 'rank' be a good substitute for 'fusty'?

In some situations, the words rank and fusty are roughly equivalent. However, rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell. // rank cigar smoke

Q: How are the words 'stinking' and 'fetid' related as synonyms of 'fusty'?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting. // prisoners were held in stinking cells // the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

fusty

adjective

ˈfə-stē

Definition of fusty

as in ripe

having an unpleasant smell couldn't stay too long in the fusty attic without sneezing

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How is the word fusty distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fusty are fetid, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, rank, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic

the musty odor of a damp cellar

When can malodorous be used instead of fusty?

While the synonyms malodorous and fusty are close in meaning, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

Where would noisome be a reasonable alternative to fusty?

The meanings of noisome and fusty largely overlap; however, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

When is it sensible to use putrid instead of fusty?

The synonyms putrid and fusty are sometimes interchangeable, but putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

When would rank be a good substitute for fusty?

In some situations, the words rank and fusty are roughly equivalent. However, rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

How are the words stinking and fetid related as synonyms of fusty?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells

the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

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 fusty The story of how this whimsical, gender-fluid brand got into the fusty, dusty, and chronically behind-the-times bridal industry isn't a particularly dramatic one. — Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 26 June 2026 It was given a $31 million overhaul in full-on 18th-century Provençal style by the Airelles Collection in 2014, but managed to emerge classic yet not clichéd, formal but not fusty. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026 But dismissing it as fusty would be an unfortunate act of self-deprivation. — Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 2026 The image that usually beckons of a vintage store is one that is fusty, cramped and dimly lit, filled with garments organized without design or backstory. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fusty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fusty

Adjective

Measures Of Success Going deeper than ratings or viewing time is key to identifying classic IP that is ripe for relaunch or reinvention.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
Rioting, looting and chaos provide Marine Le Pen and her National Rally party with issues ripe for a campaign focused on immigration and public disorder.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of ripe

Adjective

For this argument Thomasine was jailed—stuffed into a damp, stinking, deadly stone cell crawling with rats and lice—to force her to change her beliefs.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
America’s political landscape has become a stinking mess.

— Mary Ellen Klas, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026

Definition of stinking

Adjective

White vinegar helps break apart and rinse out lingering excess detergent and fabric softener buildup that leaves towels feeling stiff and smelling musty.

— Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2026
The forests are thick with spruce, their needles a deep, musty green veiled in shadows.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of musty

Adjective

The air purifier's Odor Neutralizer technology even removes smelly stenches and replaces them with a refreshing scent.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
Rainleaf Microfiber Towel $13 at Amazon A microfiber towel is another takeaway from my camping adventures, where a damp towel can become heavy and smelly.

— Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of smelly

Adjective

Fortes sprinted across the plate with the winning run, then headed toward first to join his jumping teammates in foul territory.

— Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Jackson Chourio and Bauers started the bottom half with singles and first baseman Jonathan Aranda allowed Contreras’ one-out foul pop to bounce out of his mitt near netting in front of the seats.

— Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of foul

Adjective

Stop at Callicoon Wine Merchant for a bottle paired with a stinky cheese on their sunny patio.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
These repellents are made of stinky smells and bad flavors that deer do not like, like potassium sorbate, whole egg solids, thyme oil, garlic, and sodium lauryl sulfate.

— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of stinky

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fustiness

fusty

futile

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“Fusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fusty. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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