Synonyms of noisome

noisome

adjective

ˈnȯi-səm 

1

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

a noisome remark about my weight that stuck with me for days

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgusting
• ugly
• sickening
• awful
• horrible
• obnoxious
• hideous
• obscene
• offensive
• dreadful
• shocking
• nasty
• unpleasant
• noxious
• evil
• loathsome
• odious
• abominable
• repulsive
• revolting
• gross
• repugnant
• nauseating
• horrid
• foul
• gruesome
• appalling
• rancid
• scandalous
• distasteful
• repellent
• abhorrent
• nauseous
• terrible
• horrific
• undesirable
• horrendous
• vile
• fulsome
• disturbing
• unwanted
• disagreeable
• objectionable
• hateful
• monstrous
• miserable
• unwholesome
• detestable
• grim
• contemptible
• brackish
• despicable
• horrifying
• unhealthy
• ghastly
• unwelcome
• nightmarish
• heinous
• unspeakable
• unsavory
• sick
• frightful
• grisly
• execrable
• sickly
• barbarous
• lurid
• exceptionable
• macabre
• atrocious
• uncivilized
• dislikable
• unholy
• ungodly
• lousy
• sickish
• distressing
• unchristian
• upsetting
• hard
• off-putting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocuous
• inoffensive
• pleasant
• desirable
• delightful
• acceptable
• congenial
• attractive
• sweet
• agreeable
• delicious
• heavenly
• alluring
• delectable
• enjoyable
• pleasurable
• appealing
• felicitous
• dreamy
• satisfying
• welcome
• nice
• palatable
• gratifying
• luscious
• pleasing
• likable
• dulcet
• darling
• savory
• inviting
• blessed
• unobjectionable
• unexceptionable
• healthful
• salubrious
• healthy
• wholesome
• salutary
• delightsome
• restorative

2

as in stinking

having an unpleasant smell

the noisome air of the area of the city that was downwind of the dog food factory

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in poisonous

bad for the well-being of the body

it's no fun having asthma and living in an area with noisome smog

Synonyms & Similar Words

• poisonous
• toxic
• unhealthful
• noxious
• unwholesome
• sickly
• insalubrious
• unhealthy
• insanitary
• unsanitary
• unhygienic
• lethal
• germy
• fatal
• nonnutritious
• mortal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• healthy
• healthful
• sanitary
• hygienic
• nutritious

Synonym Chooser

How is the word noisome distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of noisome are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, putrid, rank, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

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

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

When could malodorous be used to replace noisome?

The words malodorous and noisome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

When might putrid be a better fit than noisome?

While the synonyms putrid and noisome are close in meaning, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

When is it sensible to use rank instead of noisome?

While in some cases nearly identical to noisome, rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

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

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 noisome

Having gone in the tank for Griffin, North Carolina’s highest courts are a noisome example of why partisanship ought to have no place in judicial selection. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025

Performers like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, who long ago bartered their integrity and believability for money and ratings, can peddle their noisome pro-Trump propaganda on Fox News. — Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2022

But her water bowl is filled with a noisome black, brackish liquid — what has fouled it, and for how long, is anyone’s guess. — Gene Weingarten, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2021

And there were some years where his fame was turned infamous by serious accusations of the most noisome acts. — Ashley Cullins, Billboard, 3 May 2021

Auschwitz was his laboratory, offering limitless subjects and unbound by noisome ethical inhibitions. — David Margolick, WSJ, 24 Jan. 2020

Farmers agreed to reduce the emissions of the country’s noisome pigs. — The Economist, 9 July 2019

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