scent 1 of 2

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

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

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 scent
Noun
The bath products are by Le Labo and feature a custom black tea scent enriched with vitamin E and aloe vera. Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Fall came and brought the damp nights that hold scent well. Robert Easton, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
The AromaTech Air Stream allows users to recreate this experience in their own homes—a professional-grade HVAC diffuser, engineered to scent your entire space by way of central air. Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2025 It’s scented with notes of sage, lavender, spruce, pine, and oakmoss for a crisp yet refined fragrance that’s especially great for cool fall evenings. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for scent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scent
Noun
  • Besides its many uses in cooking, a lavender plant adds fragrance and color wherever it's planted—along a path, beside a patio, or in a pot on your back deck—thanks to a long blooming season.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Snag yours today and get ready for a next-level fragrance upgrade.
    Allure Editors, Allure, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The parents of an older girl named Sarah Summers—the very name still carries a shiver of excitement—gave me her old clothes from time to time, in washed, folded stacks that were permeated with a middle-class laundry fragrance, the smell of another world, better than my own.
    Rachel Kushner, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
  • There's also smells that can come from grime buildup.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Hot and humid climates will soon be replaced by cool and crisp temps, Halloween paraphernalia will line department store shelves and the smell of pumpkin spice has already begun to perfume the air.
    Roshae Hemmings, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
  • At Shen House, once the lavish residence of Ming dynasty tycoon Shen Wansan, creaking floorboards and moon gates lead to quiet courtyards perfumed with jasmine—while silk threads shimmer in tiny shops, and calligraphers bend over scrolls lit by lantern glow.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Don’t put out bird feeders, as bears can sniff out birdseed from more than a mile away.
    Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Inside, his older brother, Tyson, 8, sniffs around near his toys, enjoying a rare moment of uninterrupted playtime.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Dogs sense your body language and pheromones, so avoid projecting anxiety about their reaction to the baby.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The Portuguese midfielder’s antenna had sensed that weakness may reside on that wing, and for good reason.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Welcome to this year’s Best of Beauty winners in the Scent category, a list that includes nine genre-defining fragrances, a solid perfume, two body mists, one delicious-smelling hair mist, two oils, and four home aromas.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The aromas of this wine - maraschino cherry, pink roses and sea breeze - are dazzling; there is great freshness, excellent complexity and significant persistence; enjoy this over the next three to five years.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream when inhaled, which can cause inflammation and neurological damage.
    Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of inhaling just burning vegetation, wildland firefighters are increasingly exposed to hazardous and carcinogenic substances, Rahn said.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After his low-effort performance, anchored by a gimmick that made the show feel like a telethon, viewers might be asking themselves the same thing.
    Judy Berman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Even moments meant to feel spontaneous are staged.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scent. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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