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
Annie Blackman, Allure, 5 June 2025
Sonny Carrillo was headed to a friend’s birthday dinner, dressed up and smelling of Acqua di Gio cologne.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
The most common symptoms were fatigue, irritability and mood changes, headaches, runny nose, cough, and loss of smell and taste.
—Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Verb
Here’s the deal: The best Oribe products smell ridiculously good, leave hair silky-soft, noticeably stronger, and are worth every bit of the splurge.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 5 June 2025
Sonny Carrillo was headed to a friend’s birthday dinner, dressed up and smelling of Acqua di Gio cologne.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Noun
State police alleged that Jones was showing clear signs of impairment, including bloodshot and glossy eyes as well as the smell of alcohol coming from him.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
The most common symptoms were fatigue, irritability and mood changes, headaches, runny nose, cough, and loss of smell and taste.
—Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
Verb
-
Cooking with Julia Child Her tendency to slap and sniff and taste everything without losing a shred of her dignity was there from the beginning.—
Ina Garten,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
-
Stocks ended the week on an upswing, propped up by a better-than-expected jobs report and a rebound for Tesla , with the S & P 500 trading above 6,000 to sniff its all-time high.—
Jesse Pound,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
That is, whether people would lose the ability to sense when their body is experiencing a noxious stimuli, if enough of those stimuli are paired with a pleasurable reward.—
Peter Ubel,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Service dogs can sense oncoming seizures in their owners, while some say cats can recognize the presence of cancer.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
8 June 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
-
Recently, a Tempe, Arizona teenager, Renna Kay O'Rourke, engaged in a dangerous trend known as dusting—or inhaling chemicals from an aerosol duster or keyboard cleaner.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
12 June 2025
-
Whether in the hotel’s peaceful garden or a dedicated yoga room, guests can inhale crisp mountain air, soak in the alpine sun and reconnect with mind and body.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
When leadership and management trust their workers to make good decisions, those workers feel empowered.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
-
The trick is to find a way for the listeners and the viewers to feel sufficiently informed.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
Earlier this month, people in around 16 different states were blessed with the opportunity to see the swirling green, red and purple lights.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
-
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni told reporters after the match, which finished 1-1, that Messi preferred to come off rather than see Scaloni take off young playmaker Thiago Almada.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
Get the scoop on the coolest new treats in the ice cream aisle Our testers screamed for ice cream while tasting the PEOPLE Food Awards 2025.—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
4 June 2025
-
Here is a brief snapshot of each medal winner and the judges' tasting notes.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Build space into your schedule to notice these things.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
La Rue claims Leto was observing her so intensely that her mother noticed.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share