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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of smell
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 June 2025
The woman was reportedly in a similar situation a few weeks later and called 911 when her water smelled weird, Brown said.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 24 June 2025
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
Changes in sebum have previously been linked with the neurodegenerative disorder, with those with the condition having sebum that gives off a characteristic smell.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Verb
Inés smelled eucalyptus and aloe in addition to an herbaceous basil and peppery tomato.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 June 2025
The woman was reportedly in a similar situation a few weeks later and called 911 when her water smelled weird, Brown said.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
There’s something about the smell at a movie theater that brings me to the theater.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
Changes in sebum have previously been linked with the neurodegenerative disorder, with those with the condition having sebum that gives off a characteristic smell.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
Verb
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Toronto’s starting catcher regressed to normalcy, hitting .251 in 2023 and 2024, not sniffing double-digit homers or an above-average OPS.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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After the participants sniffed the odor pens, the researchers showed them pictures that corresponded to each one.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
3 July 2025
Verb
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The researchers found that sound expanded the size of the sites where cells attached to surrounding tissues, most likely by activating an enzyme called focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which senses mechanical forces and helps to guide tissue development.—
Simon Makin,
Scientific American,
30 June 2025
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It is offered freely and preemptively, where one partner senses when the other might need grounding, especially in moments of conflict, stress or self-doubt.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 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
Verb
-
Lime dries out lungs by drawing out moisture from skin and when it’s inhaled, according to the report.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 July 2025
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In all its momentum, the show’s biggest obstacle appeared to be a moth, which Jenkins inhaled and choked on near the end of the show.—
jsonline.com,
jsonline.com,
5 July 2025
Verb
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My bedroom is upstairs and feels like a sauna even when the thermostat is set for arctic temperatures.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
1 July 2025
-
Beyoncé, when promoting her now-GRAMMY award-winning country album, Cowboy Carter, was vocal about previously not feeling welcome in the genre.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
What areas in Texas have flooded? Can't see our graphics?—
George Petras,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
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The third edition of this category sees four out of five honorees return, mainly owing to their outstanding portfolios and strength of service.—
Sarah Bruning,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Testament, The Day After, Threads, and WarGames—which bridged Boomer and Gen X tastes by making computer hacking the trigger for a nuclear crisis—all debuted within 16 months of one another, signaling a wave of anxiety and a desire to process it collectively.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
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Here, visitors can taste matcha from the over-600-year-old Okunoyama Tea Garden, the last of the Muromachi-era Uji Shichimeien (Seven Tea Farms of Uji).—
Mark Lakin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Sports fans may notice a difference in the race calls this season as longtime announcer Trevor Denman announced his retirement in March.—
Kelley Carlson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
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Suddenly, everyone is noticing just how corrupt the criminal justice system is here in Massachusetts.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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