Definition of noisomenext
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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 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 To question the sincerity of the president’s rhetoric—and that of his party—is not to dismiss the challenge posed by the various noisome currents of antidemocratic sentiment and behavior running through our politics like the effluence of overflowing sewers. Gerard Baker, WSJ, 7 Nov. 2022 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 Trudeau is using it to get rid of a political headache: the loud, noisome, but nonviolent blockade of bridges in Canada and the downtown of the nation’s capital. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 16 Feb. 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 Farmers agreed to reduce the emissions of the country’s noisome pigs. The Economist, 9 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noisome
Adjective
  • This administration has unleashed a disgusting anti-immigrant agenda.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
  • Let women be monstrous, disgusting, angry, feral creatures!
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • Not the good, high-altitude ozone that shields us from dangerous UV light, but bad ozone, hovering right above ground level — stinking, brownish, grayish photochemical smog.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Their solution to a stinking run was, comically, to rely on less than 23 per cent of possession and pick Madrid off with a classy volley from Martin Satriano, below.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Hydrangeas are poisonous to dogs and cats.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2026
  • Restoring the balance of the humors through profusely bleeding the patient or inducing vomiting or diarrhea with the poisonous plant hellebore.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The scene Tuesday was beyond ugly.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
  • Culturally, the word is synonymous with ugly, not just for the ways lesbians defy traditional gender roles in the popular imagination but for their disinclination toward and unavailability to men.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • To me, a foul is a foul, period!
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
  • Not to mention that the foul odors that come with stagnant water can be embarrassing when guests visit.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • Northern India already has some of the world’s most polluted air, created by a toxic mix of vehicle and industrial emissions, crop residue burning, and construction dust.
    Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
  • Veterinarians recommend knowing which flowers are toxic, which are safer for pets and what to do if exposure happens.
    Taneia Surles, USA Today, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Accumulating plastic waste is overwhelming waterways and oceans, sickening marine life and threatening human health.
    Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • The regular Forest captain was injured in a sickening clash of heads with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, with both players eventually substituted in the 66th minute.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • Gladwin iris or roast-beef plant (Iris foetidissima) has malodorous foliage when crushed.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Noisome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noisome. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

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