Synonyms of malodorous

malodorous

adjective

ˌmal-ˈō-də-rəs 

as in stinking

having an unpleasant smell

the cellar will need to be cleared of several malodorous piles of garbage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stinking
• ripe
• fetid
• smelly
• foul
• stinky
• disgusting
• reeking
• filthy
• noisome
• rotting
• strong
• fusty
• rotted
• musty
• rotten
• frowsy
• funky
• dirty
• reeky
• stenchy
• frowsty
• putrid
• rank
• vile
• rancid
• bad
• nasty
• repulsive
• revolting
• odorous
• stale
• offensive
• noxious
• spoiled
• odoriferous
• decaying
• decayed
• skunky
• decomposed
• decomposing
• odiferous
• spoiling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aromatic
• fragrant
• scented
• perfumed
• sweet
• redolent
• savory
• ambrosial
• spicy
• flowery
• woodsy
• fruity

Synonym Chooser

How is the word malodorous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of malodorous are fetid, fusty, musty, noisome, putrid, rank, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

How do fusty and musty relate to one another, in the sense of malodorous?

Both 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

In what contexts can noisome take the place of malodorous?

The synonyms noisome and malodorous are sometimes interchangeable, but noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

When can putrid be used instead of malodorous?

The words putrid and malodorous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

When would rank be a good substitute for malodorous?

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

rank cigar smoke

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

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells

the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of malodorous

Midsummer is usually when sargassum, the floating seaweed that often washes up in malodorous piles on Florida beaches, starts to wane. — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025

However, these newer deodorants marketed as whole-body deodorants often do a good job at deodorizing the areas that create malodorous smells. — ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026

Democrats are an eye-watering 26 points underwater while Republicans are a more mildly malodorous 11 points beneath the surface. — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 17 Oct. 2025

Food that needed to be trashed for age or temperature abuse, malodorous air and filthy food containers were among the 33 violations an inspector found at a popular Miami seafood restaurant. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026