Definition of odornext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun odor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of odor are aroma, scent, and smell. While all these words mean "the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense," odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

When might aroma be a better fit than odor?

While in some cases nearly identical to odor, aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

When would scent be a good substitute for odor?

The words scent and odor can be used in similar contexts, but scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

In what contexts can smell take the place of odor?

Although the words smell and odor have much in common, smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

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 odor The two, while similar, perform different functions; baking soda is used as a brightener, softener, and odor eliminator, while soda crystals’ strength lies more in stain removal. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026 Piles of sweaty, muddy, damp clothes and towels promote the growth of odor-causing bacteria and mildew. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026 Both styles are designed with vegan, bamboo charcoal leather cover woven with a microbial treatment, which helps kill odor-causing bacteria. Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026 Front loaders use less water and are gentler on fabrics but are prone to odors, particularly from mold and mildew growing around the door gasket. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for odor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odor
Noun
  • The front door was charred black and the smell of smoke and soot lingered in the entryway.
    Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Enjoy the smell of this soup cooking from the beginning, as the onions and garlic create a savory aroma.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The likes of Interview editor-in-chief Mel Ottenberg and German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans have been spotted perusing the fair’s textiles, tableware, lighting, scents, ceramics, and furniture from independent designers, architects, heritage brands, family-run companies, and galleries.
    Katherine McGrath, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Of course, military operations often have to be kept under wraps to protect combatants and keep enemies off the scent.
    Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Likewise, the gleaming curves of the Walt Disney Concert Hall cemented his reputation for turning civic institutions into works of art in their own right.
    David Sokol, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Over time, the remark evolved into a slogan that became shorthand for the Rangers’ reputation for lone, forceful law enforcement — a legacy that supporters celebrate and critics say oversimplifies a more complicated history.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Jamestown, Rhode Island — 'unique rural character' Yankee Magazine said that Jamestown, Rhode Island, is the sixth best small town in New England, commenting that the Conanicut Island town has a rustic aura, with vast stretches of farmland to bike through.
    Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Others let their aura do the talking.
    Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Cold temperatures dull flavors and aromas—meaning your drink just won't be as full-flavored as one poured at room temperature or served over ice.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Louis Latour’s 2024 Chassagne Montrachet has aromas of honeycomb, pineapple, and white flowers with bright acidity and flavors of vanilla, pear, and marzipan.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • So others speculate and then the Heat somehow are the ones who get caught in the spin cycle of various insiders of various repute trying to sell Substack subscriptions or generate clicks or views.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Two other veteran Dutch managers of significant repute had been in the reckoning, one of them a former boss of Manchester United.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • That’s a product of trying to enhance the atmosphere for the fans within the stadium at the largest events, the team said.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The pool is perhaps the best indoor dip in the city; though it’s housed in the basement and there are no windows, the soft lighting from the lanterns adds to the moody and serene atmosphere.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 When goals call your name, patience becomes your ally.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
  • In Culiacan, in neighboring Sinaloa state, home to a cartel of the same name, there is a cemetery known for its luxury crypts and mausoleums for one-time kingpins like Ignacio Coronel — an old associate of El Mencho — and Arturo Beltrán Leyva.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Odor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odor. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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