reek 1 of 2

reek

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Her mother’s pullets were raised clean on a green yard, on a menu of crushed corn and wayward bugs, not manufactured in the crowd and reek of a modern-day factory farm, fattened on fish meal. Rick Bragg, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025 Conor Heffernan, who lectures on the history of sports and fitness at Ulster University, in Ireland, said the current vogue for biohacking, and its protein boosterism, reeks of snake oil. Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
The move reeked of desperation, as the Panthers aren’t the kind of team that is going to blow a multiple-goal lead in the postseason very often. Josh Yohe, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025 Jennifer worked knee-deep in oil for months, returning home reeking of fumes, covered in black splotches and breaking out in rashes and suffering headaches. Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reek
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reek
Noun
  • The thick stench of jet fuel hung in the air as crews combed the wreckage for possible clues to the cause of the crash.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
  • Scented products like air fresheners often used in cars release many of the same volatile organic compounds to mask lingering stench — all in a relatively smaller area than your average home.
    Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • With the haze of inexplicable death clouding every sequence, The Virgin Suicides reset the barometric pressure of teen movies.
    Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 6 June 2025
  • In June 2023, a surreal glowing orange haze descended on New York City and across other East Coast locations as winds concentrated and redirected smoke from Canada wildfires.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Magnolia Citrus Grove Candle Gaines and her team dreamed up this candle that smells like a walk through a citrus grove with notes of tahini lime, bergamot, and clementine for a fresh, clean scent.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Readers can smell boredom like dogs can smell fear.
    Thomas E. Ricks June 6, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The regulatory bias against 401(k) crypto may be lifting, but that doesn’t mean the fog has dissipated.
    Chris Carosa, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • The bartenders stop pouring, the light smears into a soft crimson fog.
    Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Rhone Banded Hi-Form Sports Bra $60 $48 Nordstrom This low-impact bra is made with antimicrobial material to keep sweaty stink at bay.
    Sara Coughlin, SELF, 27 May 2025
  • By championship standards, this Nuggets team stinks.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2025
  • Banks should use a hybrid strategy in which IoT data is handled both on edge and in centralized cloud systems to meet these obstacles.
    Kalyan Gottipati, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • There’s no need to rub or blend in—the mist will absorb quickly and dry clear!
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 2 June 2025
  • Disciplinary problems are a concern, as Cunha saw the red mist and was sent off against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reek. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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