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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smell
Eric Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025
To me, the whole world smelled like Dream after 1995.
—Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 1 Aug. 2025
Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2025
And from the pine-forest smell to the easy, reserved nature of its inhabitants, Norway did indeed feel like home.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Verb
There is one problem: The inside of his car smells horrible.
—Eric Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025
To me, the whole world smelled like Dream after 1995.
—Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
Other major red flags include buzzing sounds from the breaker box, burning smells, or sparks.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2025
And from the pine-forest smell to the easy, reserved nature of its inhabitants, Norway did indeed feel like home.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
Verb
-
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until Isaac appeared to kiss and sniff Chastain's underarm area.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
29 July 2025
-
Miami will need someone to sniff out runs close and makes plays close to the line of scrimmage. ▪ 5.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
20 July 2025
Verb
-
Even if a parent is physically present, the child may sense emotional disconnection.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
4 Aug. 2025
-
But can our bodies sense gut microbe activity in real-time and shift behavior accordingly? Turns out, yes.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Despite its appearance, the hummingbird’s tongue doesn't suck up nectar like a drinking straw.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
Verb
-
Emory has been working on a dry powder mRNA antiviral platform that could be inhaled and Tiba is working on a platform that uses a nanoparticle carrier technology, according to the BARDA website.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Children, older adults and people suffering from respiratory conditions, including asthma, are particularly vulnerable to the fine particulate matter small enough to be inhaled that is the toxic byproduct of wildfires, environmental officials warned.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
For those that still don’t feel quite ready to dive into a dinner, or may not live in an area with such an abundance of Shabbat clubs to join, there are still plenty of other ways to get a taste of the culture and religion.—
Sophie Liza Cannon,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
So the design team, led by Kristin Byrd of Gensler, zeroed in on making the public spaces look and feel more intimate and more soothing on a site that's traditionally soaking up the summer sun and its heat.—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Anyone who’s hoping to see Byrne reunite with Talking Heads is out of luck.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The fans were already on their feet waiting to see history.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Rooker unsurprisingly embraces the lunacy of his character, who dresses in Native American drag and tastes bird poop to track his prey.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
15 Aug. 2025
-
In half an hour, these cheesy, creamy grits will be ready to serve, and taste even better with a few pats of butter on top.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Radhi, an Ayurvedic enthusiast, noticed Jay’s sweet tooth was something deeper than an occasional craving.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Changes at the federal level also affect flu shots, though most people won’t notice.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share