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 hint
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
Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025
The whole team emphasizes the importance of finding partnerships that are authentic, pointing out that fans and viewers would quickly smell if an artist and content, or an artist and a brand, were forced together for pure financial considerations.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
Le Teendezvous was a converted horse stable — dim lights, wooden beams, and a smell that said livestock once lived here.
—Henry Selick, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Verb
Abandoned Mansion smells like history and curiosity intertwined, the scent of someone worth unraveling.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025
The whole team emphasizes the importance of finding partnerships that are authentic, pointing out that fans and viewers would quickly smell if an artist and content, or an artist and a brand, were forced together for pure financial considerations.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
The season transforms the city’s historic streets into something out of a snow globe—brick row houses dusted in white, gas lamps flickering through the early dusk, and the smell of soul-warming seafood chowder drifting from restaurants in the Seaport area.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
Le Teendezvous was a converted horse stable — dim lights, wooden beams, and a smell that said livestock once lived here.
—Henry Selick, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
Verb
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Several reports over the last few weeks had the Broncos sniffing around at offensive additions, primarily at wide receiver.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
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The Ovechkin puck would likely garner a pretty penny, if not now, then sometime in the future, as no other active NHL player is sniffing around 700 career goals.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sony’s imaging and sensing solutions segment develops and manufactures advanced semiconductor products for a wide range of applications, from smartphones to automotive and industrial systems.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
11 Nov. 2025
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During an episode of The Real Brady Bros earlier this year, Christopher Knight, who played Peter Brady, recalled sensing the chemistry between his two costars.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The new-look adaptation featured Mario being from Brooklyn and being sucked into the Mushroom Kingdom.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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Sensing danger, Charlie doubles down on sucking up.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Jet fuels and other petroleum products are refined from crude oil, and contain chemicals that are toxic to humans when inhaled.—
Connor Giffin,
Louisville Courier Journal,
5 Nov. 2025
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Sprays are easy to apply to skin or clothing but must be used with caution as they can also be inhaled.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And among the less conversationally direct, the topic often seems to lurk on the fringes as locals in other countries try to more delicately approach politics and discern how US travelers feel about what’s going on at home.—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
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Specific details of conversations remain unclear, but the meeting suggests that Comcast feels that there is still a path forward for a deal, in spite of concerns — aired in the press — about the likelihood of regulatory troubles in the US.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But travelers could still see flight cuts even if the government were to reopen next week, as the FAA’s order requires airlines to cancel flights days in advance.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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Roaches were seen in the restrooms.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Unlike its stronger-tasting cousin the king mackerel, Spanish mackerel have a fine, delicate flavor.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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Flavored with garlic, salt, pepper, and buttermilk, this dish tastes like the real thing.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Teams that set meeting windows, encourage short breaks, and support ergonomic basics may notice steadier output and fewer end-of-week slumps, especially when people adjust lighting, seat height, and screen distance to reduce eye strain.—
Jason Phillips,
IndyStar,
11 Nov. 2025
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And when his hospital finally reopened, in February of the following year, doctors began noticing unexpected changes.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
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