Synonyms of reeking

reeking 1 of 2

adjective

as in stinking

having an unpleasant smell

I would rather not be the one to wash your reeking gym clothes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stinking
• ripe
• fetid
• malodorous
• rotting
• foul
• smelly
• filthy
• stinky
• disgusting
• rotted
• noisome
• strong
• musty
• fusty
• rotten
• frowsy
• reeky
• funky
• dirty
• frowsty
• stenchy
• putrid
• rank
• rancid
• vile
• stale
• bad
• revolting
• nasty
• repulsive
• decaying
• spoiled
• offensive
• decayed
• noxious
• decomposing
• odorous
• skunky
• decomposed
• odoriferous
• spoiling
• odiferous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fragrant
• perfumed
• aromatic
• scented
• redolent
• sweet
• savory
• ambrosial
• spicy
• flowery
• woodsy
• fruity

reeking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of reek

as in smelling

to give off an extremely unpleasant smell

those old sneakers reek something awful

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stinking
• smelling
• rotting
• decomposing
• decaying
• savoring
• exhaling
• offending
• spoiling
• disgusting
• revolting
• repulsing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reeking

Verb

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

Today, a checkerboard of subdivisions crosses east to west, and the remaining grasslands are buried each day under reeking asphalt and rolls of turfgrass. — Maggie Slepian, Longreads, 14 May 2026

And the smell is soft and pleasant, instead of reeking of alcohol. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026

Following the opening verse with the characterization of his lady’s eyes, Shakespeare proceeded to give a rundown of her other features in less than flattering terms, including her lips (pale), hair (wiry), voice (grating) and breath (reeking). — David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026

Once Catalina was asleep, Pedro tossed his backpack, reeking of the day’s clothes, into the bedroom. — Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026

When he was lugged in Saugus in 2011, reeking of cheap domestic lager, he was first told to turn off the engine in his unmarked MSP Crown Vic. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026