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

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 malodorous Descending through a malodorous entrance in the Roman Forum, the team waded through the sewer until the water current became too powerful. Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025 Public stations were expensive to maintain and quickly became dirty and malodorous. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Jan. 2025 Come for Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb, sweaty and malodorous and razor-sharp; stay for some of the best-structured storytelling on television. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024 Gary Oldman remains as delightful as ever as the malodorous but brilliant Jackson Lamb. Erik Kain, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for malodorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malodorous
Adjective
  • Four plays, 76 yards, in 25 stinking seconds.
    David Aldridge, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • This is about a team with a top-10 payroll whose GM committed too stinking much of it to dogs that can’t, or won’t, pull the sled.
    Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2019
Adjective
  • Harvest those last zucchini, patty pans, and any ripe melons and bring them inside.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Elsewhere in the spacious garden, David got on his hands and knees to pull a freshly ripe red onion.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • All spoke about the inhumane conditions, from the fetid human waste to having to stand during the rain because there is nowhere to lie down.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
  • This fetid flow — filled with both pathogens and toxic chemicals — stems from inadequate treatment near Tijuana, shuttering beaches and sickening Navy SEALs for years.
    Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Descriptions of the Mogollon Monster vary, but it's generally described as a large, hairy and humanoid figure, standing over 7 feet tall, with a strong, foul odor.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • If your microfiber cloths have a foul odor, add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the load.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Walking deeper into a smelly cave along the Albania-Greece border, cavers shined their flashlights along the rock walls and illuminated a massive spider colony.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Take out the trash immediately after throwing away smelly items like diapers and leftovers from your seafood dinner.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The fabric also features Lululemon’s signature Silverescent technology, which prevents the growth of stinky bacteria.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
  • An alkaline compound, baking soda is a non-toxic cleaner with a coarseness that works wonders for scrubbing grime, removing difficult stains, and deodorizing stinky odors.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That would probably be the most disgusting kind.
    Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … 'DISGUSTING' – Jen Psaki jokes Usha Vance scared of her husband, ripped for 'disgusting' comments.
    , FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Jackson Lamb has long, greasy hair and a pot belly over which hangs a filthy old trench coat.
    Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • On the other end, Ja’Marr Chase is coming off an absolutely filthy touchdown grab last Sunday.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Malodorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malodorous. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on malodorous

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