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

Rue was considered the most malodorous of all herbs, was even thought to keep away evil spirits, and was spread on church floors for this purpose. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 12 June 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