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as in smell
the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose
dogs are able to detect scents that are far below the threshold detectable by the human nose
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to sense
to have a vague awareness of
he scented danger
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of scent
Cori Sears, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
After years of using dogs to track the scents of missing people, a Florida search-and-rescue team has now trained otters to help with underwater searches.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 12 June 2026
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
This small village on the Côte d’Azur, in France, is scented with fields of jasmine, rose, and lavender.
—Kelley Manley, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scent
Noun
Lemon Balm As its name implies, lemon balm has a strong, citrusy scent that pests like mosquitoes and flies can’t stand.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
After years of using dogs to track the scents of missing people, a Florida search-and-rescue team has now trained otters to help with underwater searches.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 12 June 2026
Verb
One flower goes a long way in scenting an outdoor space, so don’t surround your patio with pots full of them.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
This small village on the Côte d’Azur, in France, is scented with fields of jasmine, rose, and lavender.
—Kelley Manley, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scent
Noun
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Lavender, vanilla, sandalwood and musk are the workhorse notes for fragrances meant to soothe, and lavender in particular has a deep evidence base.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
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Lush Perfumer Alina Gilwinska told Byrdie that citrus is one of her favorite mood boosting fragrance families.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Clearly, the smell of barbecue, the sound of music and the love of community and family lingered in him.—
Bobby J. Smith II,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
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The colors, pains, pleasures, smells, tastes and sounds, the what-it’s-like of being conscious, are not private inner bits and blobs that philosophers call qualia, floating in a theatre of the mind.—
Andréa Morris,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Fresh lavender and lemon zest get rubbed into the sugar with your hands—a simple trick that perfumes the blueberry-peach filling with floral, citrusy notes.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 June 2026
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To Curaçao, where the air was perfumed with dama di anochi blossoms and the night was navy blue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The look of sheer repressed, stymied rage/laughter on Raph’s face when Paul sniffs the Oreos instead is one of the episode’s biggest laughs.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
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The network is also set up to sniff out other viruses of recent concern.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The flowing fluid can transport hydraulic power to actuators, carry chemical substances such as drugs or sensing agents, and potentially transmit information signals through fluidic pathways.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 June 2026
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As governments and industries seek faster communications, more capable radar systems, and advanced sensing technologies, high-frequency GaN devices are expected to play an increasingly important role in future wireless infrastructure.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Bold aromas of black cherry, espresso bean, and nutmeg give way to sublime flavors of cassis, charcuterie, and freshly ground nutmeg wrapped in a sheath of feathery tannins.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
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For anyone who has ever been stopped in their tracks by a familiar aroma, here’s what scientists and physicians say is actually happening and why scent deserves more credit as a memory tool than most people give it.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Verb
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With half of the stadium decked out in highlighter-orange supporting the Dutch and the other half in royal blue supporting the Japanese, the chants and energy were felt from whistle to whistle from the 69,285 fans in attendance.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
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When Kelli arrives to move into Shamea’s townhouse, the exchange is fraught with what feels like subliminal messages directed at Porsha.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Verb
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The controversial diplomatic breakthrough poses a quandary for Vance, whose aides see Rubio as his most viable challenger for the Republican presidential nomination should the secretary choose to run.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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She was last seen Thursday night in surveillance footage walking through the Publix parking lot at 100 Old Cherokee Road.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scent. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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