1
2
as in to sense
to have a vague awareness of
I smell something fishy about this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in scent
the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose
the smell of vanilla is supposed to be very soothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in splash
a very small amount
the pie has barely a smell of ginger, but lots of cinnamon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aura
a special quality or impression associated with something
a law firm with a mahogany-lined boardroom that has the discernible smell of money and power
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smell
Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
Sprinkle a bit in each box every week or so, and your coops will smell fresh, clean, and ready to be laid in.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2025
Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 14 June 2025
And really what that is, is the smell of actinomycetes and other fungi that live within the soil of the cave anywhere in the world practically.
—Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Verb
Everybody smelled the smoke, but prescribed burns are becoming so common in the region, nobody seemed alarmed.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
Sprinkle a bit in each box every week or so, and your coops will smell fresh, clean, and ready to be laid in.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2025
Noun
Getting in and parking was weirdly a breeze, and instead of the smells of carne asada wafting from barbecues in the parking lot, the expanse of asphalt stood quiet and relatively empty a couple hours before kickoff.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 14 June 2025
And really what that is, is the smell of actinomycetes and other fungi that live within the soil of the cave anywhere in the world practically.
—Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
Verb
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Once connected, the attackers can launch different attacks to sniff out important information from the users.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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Vibe and energy, in my book, are a crucial part of the process, something an algorithm simply can't sniff out.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
18 June 2025
Verb
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This network of brain regions, responsible for sensing, reacting to and cognitively evaluating pain, matures in stages with different components developing at different points before and after birth.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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Perhaps sensing the power shift in negotiations, Trump offered to reduce China's highest tariffs to complete the deal in March.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2025
Verb
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That’s the fun thing for me, is there’s no reason the next one couldn’t suck back in and be a chamber piece again.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Sep. 2022
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Despite its appearance, the hummingbird’s tongue doesn't suck up nectar like a drinking straw.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
After a shower at the gym, this is my favorite scent to put on.—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
26 June 2025
-
Natural vapors coming from trees, like the monoterpenes that give pine trees their scent, produce aerosols and thus low-lying clouds that hover above forests.—
Max G. Levy,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Noun
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The Colorado Rapids, who have made their fair share of splash signings over the past two seasons, are ninth lowest in the league in payroll for their first-team players.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
25 June 2025
-
The world’s largest sailing yacht just made a mighty splash in France.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
Noun
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While jumping from one show to the next, Walters nurtured her relationship with fans and would have been appalled by the current aura of distrust.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
26 June 2025
-
Verne purists won’t be pleased, because the tragic aura that surrounded Nemo in the novels doesn’t exactly translate here, and the adaptation’s company story line is so overwhelming while ultimately feeling too rapidly resolved.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
25 June 2025
Verb
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The simulant particles are smaller than 2.5 microns (millionths of a meter), small enough to be inhaled and then trapped in the lower airways of the lungs.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
23 June 2025
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Chernobyl nuclear disaster altered the genetics of the dogs left behind, scientists say How does exposure to uranium affect the human body If ingested or inhaled, uranium hexafluoride gas -- in which each of the molecules has six fluorine atoms -- can cause kidney damage, Caffrey said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
21 June 2025
Verb
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In the meantime, the changing guidance has left many workers feeling uneasy, with some failing to show up to job sites for fear of being arrested and subject to deportation proceedings.—
Miriam Waldvogel,
The Hill,
21 June 2025
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Sure, the weight of leadership can feel like a massive burden at times, but that's when perspective is critical.—
Joe Altieri,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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