reek 1 of 2

noun

ˈrēk How to pronounce reek (audio)
Definition of reeknext
1
as in stench
a strong unpleasant smell a terrible reek coming from the garbage can

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in haze
an atmospheric condition in which suspended particles in the air rob it of its transparency couldn't see through the reek of smog and smoke surrounding the steel plant

Synonyms & Similar Words

reek

2 of 2

verb

as in to smell
to give off an extremely unpleasant smell those old sneakers reek something awful

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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 reek
Noun
Pro-housing groups have pointed to the influence of Heebner and other North County leaders to say the new maps’ treatment of Solana Beach and Oceanside reeks of political influence. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026 This dumb contest reeks of the clueless, insensitive ways of the past. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026
Verb
The Mystic of my childhood, though, had a modicum of edge — kids with anarchy symbols on their jackets skateboarded outside a coffee shop that reeked of weed, and locals got rowdy at a dysfunctional watering hole called the Draw Bridge Inne. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026 The meteorite hurtled over the east coast before crash-landing in a house in Hillsborough, New Jersey where the homeowner found it, reeking of sulfur. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reek
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reek
  1. stench
  2. haze
  3. smell
  4. fog
  5. stink
  6. cloud
  7. mist
Noun
  • If breathing hadn’t been so hard, someone would have fainted from the stench of the farmers’ perspiration.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The air purifier's Odor Neutralizer technology even removes smelly stenches and replaces them with a refreshing scent.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of stench
Noun
  • When the two mix, the gas glows red, and the blue haze comes from light reflecting off space dust.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Moments later, the Grammy-winning artist emerged through a haze of smoke, with moody lighting setting the scene.
    — Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of haze
Verb
  • What a sensory garden actually is A sensory garden is designed to engage sight, sound, touch, taste and smell rather than just look pretty from a distance.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The Brewers, smelling its first World Series title in franchise history after 22-year-old Cooper Pratt broke an innings-long 2-2 tie with a solo home run in the top of the 13th inning, were just three outs away from celebrating.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • The morning fog had lifted as Bates trails one of his delivery trucks and its driver, Lee Wood.
    — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Oyamel firs thrive in cool, moist, mountainous environments, usually between 1,200 and 4,100 meters (3,940–13,450 feet) above sea level, where fog and precipitation are common.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fog
Verb
  • In contrast to the gorgeous monochrome visuals, this is a land that stinks of complicity and delusion — of opportunists desperate to scramble onto the right side of history.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • On the Nightcap podcast earlier this week, Chad Ochocino/Johnson and Shannon Sharpe were discussing how much Justin Herbert stinks this year.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of stink
Noun
  • This setup takes shape as the mega-cap cloud platforms Alphabet, Amazon and Microsoft report results this week.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Clouse stands, avoiding my eye, and drives off in a cloud of dust.
    — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of cloud
Noun
  • After that, the video wall froze over as white mist floated above it and snowflakes fell from the ceiling.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Spectral Lilac Lilac nods to early morning mist floating over an eerily still lake, or obscuring your path through a twisting forest.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of mist

Browse Nearby Words

reefs
reek
reeked
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Cite this Entry

“Reek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reek. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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