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
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Recent Examples of smell
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
His conservation with his boss, William Thompson, the lead FWC investigator, about smelling Pino was captured on Thompson’s body cam footage.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Osayi Endolyn, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2025
Despite the district not naming the source of the smell, some social media users last week attributed the school’s odor to mold.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Verb
To extend their lifespan and keep them smelling delightful, remove perfumes and essential oils from your medicine cabinet and store them in a cool, dry place instead.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
His conservation with his boss, William Thompson, the lead FWC investigator, about smelling Pino was captured on Thompson’s body cam footage.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Noun
The caller is one of his local farmer partners who has just walked their orchards to touch, smell, and taste the fruit.
—Osayi Endolyn, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2025
Despite the district not naming the source of the smell, some social media users last week attributed the school’s odor to mold.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
Verb
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Beatrix is forcing Charlie to drive her to a safe house, where the human lie detector will use her special talent to sniff out … whichever rodent term is appropriate here.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
8 May 2025
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Most hitters would rather sniff pine tar than face Estrada’s blend of 97-mph fastball, a devastating splitter and a sharp slider.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2025
Verb
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The sympathetic nervous system is activated when the body senses a threat, and the adrenal glands release cortisol.—
Helen Carefoot,
Verywell Health,
16 May 2025
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Babies can often pull off some pretty astonishing stuff—like sensing emotions and understanding math—according to several studies.—
Leslie Garisto Pfaff,
Parents,
15 May 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
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As months and years of data arrived, Keeling’s rigorous work revealed two global phenomena: Earth’s plants inhaling CO2 each summer and exhaling it each winter, and CO2 levels’ unrelenting annual increase.—
Ashley Braun,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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Workers who inhaled Teflon fumes developed flu-like symptoms.—
Mariah Blake,
The Atlantic,
5 May 2025
Verb
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To that end, the district’s creative community felt the time was right to expand the celebration with a new monthlong entertainment event.—
Kimberly Nordyke,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2025
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And that feels enormously good coming from my brothers.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Back to battle once again for their lives and a giant cash prize, the wordless preview sees contestants facing a series of high-stakes situations, involving guns, fists and an ominous giant gumball machine.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Southern Baptist churches lost more than a quarter-million members nationwide in 2024, the 18th straight year of decline, but saw baptism and attendance numbers rise.—
Frank E. Lockwood,
Arkansas Online,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Dessert Options Multiply While canned and frozen options may be available year-round, there’s no denying that fresh fruit just tastes better—especially when baked into a cobbler or churned into ice cream.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
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The blend tastes like standard mayo, and the bits in the mix are mustard seed, not lemon.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Dempsey-Beggs’ boss noticed her nervousness and pulled her aside, asking what the alarm was.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
18 May 2025
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He's also noticed that workers often shovel coal in bouts, working hard in teams of two or three, and then all taking breaks together.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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