musk

noun

Definition of musknext
as in scent
a strong-smelling substance used in perfume

Related Words

Relevance

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 musk And the Eau de Rhubarbe Écarlate Eau de Cologne is a unisex fragrance with notes of rhubarb and white musk, for a crisp yet sophisticated scent. — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 In this hilltop beyond the realm of agriculture, the hermit has installed himself, wearing goatskins and stinking of musk. — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 Jasmine softens the scent, while moss and musk give it depth. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026 Xavier agrees and says that today’s fruity fragrances are often balanced with florals, cedar, cardamom, woods, musks, or aromatic notes to create depth and elegance. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for musk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for musk
  1. scent
  2. incense
  3. perfume
  4. fragrance
  5. sniff
  6. whiff
  7. smell
  8. odor
Noun
  • The first product in the line is a dog shampoo in the brand’s Orange & Cedarwood scent, priced at 18 pounds.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • First released in celebration of its 250th anniversary, Creed has since extended Aventus into a full collection, and the original is generally regarded as one of the most influential men’s scents of the century.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of scent
Noun
  • Ancient viewers would have relied on beeswax and tallow candles, incense burners and torches.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Patchouli, incense, and sandalwood add a darker, woodsy depth, while red fruits bring a touch of sweetness.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of incense
Noun
  • Conversely, perfume is part of the heritage of the Middle East.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In addition to developing better medicines or perfumes, deciphering the mirror images of molecules can help scientists understand the chemical architecture of life, said chemist Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of the journal Science.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of perfume
Noun
  • Others include California Coast with a sea salt, linen and moss fragrance and Life & Lemons with an aroma of citrus, musk and green tea.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In October 2025, Lauder debuted its fragrance atelier at La Maison des Parfums in Paris to accelerate the company’s growing luxury and prestige perfume business.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of fragrance
Noun
  • And perhaps most importantly — why do longevity clinics include scratch-and-sniff smell tests as part of their treatments?
    — Amanda Erickson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
  • If the split area doesn’t show signs of spoilage, give the banana a sniff.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of sniff
Noun
  • The Seahawks, defending Super Bowl champions, got a collective whiff of smelling salts before Sunday’s game, having suffered an embarrassing loss at Washington a week earlier.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But a whiff of the roasted treat, emanating without access to its visual source, is part of its charm.
    — Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of whiff
Noun
  • The breakthrough underpins modern drug development, because mirror-image versions of the same molecule can behave differently in the body — and can even produce different smells.
    — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The report quoted Shipilova's neighbors as saying a team of disinfection experts did several cleanups of her apartment, leaving a strong antiseptic smell.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • The skin’s microbiome shifts with age and hormones, allowing more odor-causing bacteria to thrive.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Persimmon contains tannins thought to help neutralize odor-causing compounds on the skin, and the ingredient story (natural, plant-derived, targeted at a specific compound) fits what midlife shoppers are already buying.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of odor

Browse Nearby Words

musing (upon)
musk
muskeg
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Musk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/musk. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on musk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about musk

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of galore

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All