reeks 1 of 2

plural of reek
as in hazes
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

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reeks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of reek
as in stinks
to give off an extremely unpleasant smell those old sneakers reek something awful

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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 reeks
Noun
And when the wind whips, the air reeks of a potent campfire — but no campers are around. Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026 But their vapor trail of success reeks of arrogance and entitlement. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 May 2026 This week’s special legislative session reeks of imperialism. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026 It reeks of anti-Blackness, the idea that Ciara—a nurse, a model, a catch in all respects of the word—could be seen as just an experience to these men. Erica Campbell, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026 Their dreadful February reeks of a team that grew desperate to reap the benefits of a dying method, at least somewhat relinquishing its old, stubborn ways. Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026 In that respect, Wolfram is a masterful merger of merger of serious social comment and taut, thrilling action, a film where base human cruelty is always somewhere on the horizon, a film that simply reeks of death and decay (there are more flies than Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia). Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026 The entire episode reeks of everlasting ineptitude. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026 Withholding their reunion reeks of the kind of water-treading felt throughout the first five episodes, but Cooper’s search for his family is a series-long arc, not a seasonal one. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeks
Noun
  • Scientists believe seasonal winter clouds and hazes in the region may be limiting how atmospheric dust scatters sunlight there.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • The 56-year-old Williams has since found his mind often wanders through hazes of grief to memories of Thomas.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Her stats are decent, but her attitude stinks.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • With another championship in reach, the timing of MacFarland’s exit stinks.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • And fogs are closer to us than clouds.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 31 May 2026
  • Over-the-counter pesticides and fogs will not do the job.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • For some couples, scent serves as a stress-reducing anchor for others, a change in how a partner smells can mirror a change in how the relationship feels.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026
  • Shop more of the best Prime Day deals under $25 below, including a Yankee Candle that smells just like vacation, before the savings are gone for good.
    Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Watch for clouds passing by Friday morning through the early afternoon — that is a cold front that marks the arrival of our cooler weekend.
    Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026
  • During the final launch sequence in the film, the room fills with water vapor simulating clouds and fog from the launch.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Daily News, 24 June 2026

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“Reeks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeks. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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