Synonyms of redolent

redolent

adjective

ˈre-də-lənt 

as in aromatic

having a pleasant smell

my grandmother's house always seemed to be redolent with the aroma of baking bread

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aromatic
• fragrant
• scented
• perfumed
• sweet
• spicy
• ambrosial
• savory
• fresh
• pungent
• odorous
• flowery
• odoriferous
• pure
• odiferous
• odored
• fruity
• clean

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• putrid
• fetid
• malodorous
• strong
• stinking
• rancid
• reeking
• smelly
• noisome
• stinky
• foul
• rank
• odorless
• musty
• reeky
• stale
• fusty
• skunky
• unscented
• stenchy
• stenchful
• gamy

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective redolent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of redolent are aromatic, fragrant, and odorous. While all these words mean "emitting and diffusing scent," redolent applies usually to a place or thing impregnated with odors.

the kitchen was redolent of garlic and tomatoes

When is it sensible to use aromatic instead of redolent?

In some situations, the words aromatic and redolent are roughly equivalent. However, aromatic applies to things emitting pungent often fresh odors.

an aromatic blend of tobaccos

When can fragrant be used instead of redolent?

The words fragrant and redolent can be used in similar contexts, but fragrant applies to things (such as flowers or spices) with sweet or agreeable odors.

a fragrant rose

In what contexts can odorous take the place of redolent?

The words odorous and redolent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, odorous applies to whatever has a strong distinctive smell whether pleasant or unpleasant.

odorous cheeses should be tightly wrapped

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of redolent

But one half-acre parcel overlooking the Silver Lake Reservoir is particularly redolent of the past. —Fred A. Bernstein, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026

In the movie’s first dramatic scene, achingly redolent of memory, the brothers—the older is eleven, the younger eight—loll in front of their family’s house, snacking, grousing, playing with paper action figures, trying to fill the solitude and the silence around them with banter and bravado. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026

Another fragrant fall bloomer is Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens); its olfactory delight is provided by its powerfully redolent blooms. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025

But this climactic sequence, too, is redolent of too many other films to name, as is a final stretch where the apparent resolution to the sisters’ travails turns out to be something else. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025