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
Aislyn Greene, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
The whole room smelled like old furniture and melted ice pops.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
The indelible smell lingered — to the point of me thinking of skipping out on my perfume du jour.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Verb
Jeanroy tells me that only animals can smell truffles in the wild, as the delicacy grows up to a foot underground near tree roots; by law in France, hunters can use only pigs and dogs to find them.
—Aislyn Greene, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
The whole room smelled like old furniture and melted ice pops.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
If the smell is still there, repeat with more baking soda.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
The indelible smell lingered — to the point of me thinking of skipping out on my perfume du jour.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
Verb
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Common signals include sniffing, circling, squatting, or whining.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
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The picture shows them on the floor together with Comet fully exposing his belly, a sign of trust, while Dottie sniffs him.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their daughter, Darlene Tenes, sensed her father was hanging on trying to make it to the anniversary.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Capable of earning respect from older players who can sense false bravado.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Red Raiders took advantage, scoring two touchdowns in two minutes to take a soul-sucking 22-19 lead with two minutes left.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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The 49ers can’t afford to let Warner’s absence suck the inspiration out of a prime-time home game.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Its use was banned in many countries around the turn of the millennium amid concerns that the fibers, when airborne, could result in potentially fatal lung diseases if inhaled.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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Miners argue increased subjection to the dust has led to an eruption of black lung, an incurable disease associated with inhaling the particles.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Man, that jolt felt like Emmanuel Sanders streaking down the sidelines at Cleveland.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
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Probably my favorite of the season so far – feels like a new direction in a lot of ways.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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He has not been seen in public since March, but the investigation of his activities had not previously been disclosed by Chinese authorities.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
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More than 60% of European companies cite regulation as an obstacle to investment, and most see it as their biggest challenge overall.—
Jan Hammer,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, zucchini is far more versatile and crowd-pleasing than stronger-tasting vegetables like broccoli, kale or Brussels sprouts.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
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The excursion included tasting what almost certainly was dragon’s beard candy, a Chinese treat that reportedly dates back to the Han Dynasty about 200 BC.—
Jeff Faraudo,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mariah had noticed the young soldier standing alone while everyone else celebrated with loved ones.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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Now is not the time for pastors to wilt or keep our heads down, hoping against hope that we won’t be noticed.—
Rev. Nathan Empsall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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