Synonyms of scent

scent 1 of 2

noun

ˈsent 

1

as in fragrance

a sweet or pleasant smell

the delightful scent of her perfume

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fragrance
• aroma
• fragrancy
• perfume
• balm
• incense
• bouquet
• attar
• spice
• redolence
• essence
• odor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stench
• stink
• reek
• malodor
• fetor

2

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

• smell
• aroma
• fragrance
• stench
• sniff
• odor
• perfume
• redolence
• fragrancy
• whiff
• attar
• musk
• bouquet
• rankness
• malodor
• spice
• funk
• stink
• lusciousness
• fetor
• tang
• rancidity
• incense
• reek
• savor
• ambrosia
• foulness
• aromaticity
• savoriness
• gaminess
• fetidness
• acridness
• noisomeness
• odorousness
• odoriferousness

scent

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to perfume

to fill or infuse with a pleasant odor or odor-releasing substance

fancy bars of soap scented with lavender

Synonyms & Similar Words

• perfume
• incense
• odorize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deodorize
• stink up

2

as in to smell

to become aware of by means of the sense organs in the nose

the dog scented a rabbit and suddenly took off

Synonyms & Similar Words

• smell
• sniff
• inhale
• whiff
• snuff
• nose
• drink (in)
• breathe
• respire
• snort
• savor
• snuffle

3

as in to sense

to have a vague awareness of

he scented danger

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sense
• smell
• feel
• see
• taste
• notice
• hear
• perceive
• sight
• expect
• realize
• look (at)
• note
• eye
• anticipate
• discover
• divine
• discern
• remark
• view
• witness
• learn
• suspect
• ascertain
• distinguish
• find out
• guess
• spy
• foresee
• observe
• behold
• regard
• suppose
• espy
• descry
• presume
• catch on (to)
• assume
• speculate
• surmise
• foreknow
• conjecture

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun scent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scent are fragrance, perfume, and redolence. While all these words mean "a sweet or pleasant odor," scent is very close to perfume but of wider application because more neutral in connotation.

scent-free soaps

When might fragrance be a better fit than scent?

While in some cases nearly identical to scent, fragrance suggests the odors of flowers or other growing things.

the fragrance of pine

Where would perfume be a reasonable alternative to scent?

The meanings of perfume and scent largely overlap; however, perfume may suggest a stronger or heavier odor.

the perfume of lilacs

When is it sensible to use redolence instead of scent?

In some situations, the words redolence and scent are roughly equivalent. However, redolence implies a mixture of fragrant or pungent odors.

the redolence of a forest after a rain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scent

Noun

His job is to detect the scent of human remains and alert Bormann with a bark, helping recovery teams focus their search. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

No detail is overlooked—from antiques and scents to cheeky notes tucked in unexpected corners, the experience is intimate, playful, and deeply personal. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

Verb

The base of the braising liquid is scented with onion, carrots and garlic. — Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Diana’s daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle, is also a fan of the scents—so much so that her wedding chapel was scented with Diptyque. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026