1
as in sniffing
to become aware of by means of the sense organs in the nose
we smelled the aroma of freshly baked cookies as soon as we walked in the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in sensing
to have a vague awareness of
I smell something fishy about this situation
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 smelling
Billowing, acrid-smelling black clouds drifted over the turquoise waters of Banderas Bay.
—
Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
Her family is within smelling distance.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
According to our cleaning pros, these are the most common mistakes people make with comforters, and simple fixes that keep them smelling clean all season.
—Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
So, clean your garbage disposal once a month to have a fully performing appliance in a fresh smelling sink.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Such an arresting combination mirrored Galen's instructions for masking the odors of certain foul-smelling medicines.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026
Civilians inside the building prior to the explosion reported smelling gas, according to police.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Garlic supplements tend to use a combination of ingredients that give your body a health boost and prevent your breath from smelling garlicky.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Their ice maker expelled large clumps of wet salt, which, when rubbed, dissolved into an oily, foul-smelling substance.
—Nick Bowlin, The Frontier, 16 Feb. 2026
Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
Her family is within smelling distance.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
According to our cleaning pros, these are the most common mistakes people make with comforters, and simple fixes that keep them smelling clean all season.
—Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 2026
So, clean your garbage disposal once a month to have a fully performing appliance in a fresh smelling sink.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
Such an arresting combination mirrored Galen's instructions for masking the odors of certain foul-smelling medicines.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026
Civilians inside the building prior to the explosion reported smelling gas, according to police.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Garlic supplements tend to use a combination of ingredients that give your body a health boost and prevent your breath from smelling garlicky.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Their ice maker expelled large clumps of wet salt, which, when rubbed, dissolved into an oily, foul-smelling substance.
—Nick Bowlin, The Frontier, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smelling
Verb
-
And given that two cops are already sniffing around the Redfellows’ sudden propensity for premature expiration, Becket finds himself in quite a predicament.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The same disaster that flirted with Canada early in the day was sniffing around Team USA on Wednesday.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This diabetic-alert dog who saved his owner's life after sensing a blood sugar drop from outside a school building.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Like Smith, Eisenberg — who is an adviser to Legacy — reports sensing curiosity among men.—
Annalisa Merelli,
STAT,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Trying to undo a Brazilian butt lift (or BBL) by sucking it out of the body carries the risk for nerve damage, asymmetry, and skin laxity.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The poverty line’s narrow focus on food leaves out how much other expenses are now sucking up incomes and lowballing the minimum amount Americans need to get by.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Your daughter breathes that same air, inhaling the virus directly into her respiratory tract.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
-
These new players were inhaling possibilities.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Before the game, Eldridge discussed feeling more comfortable and in rhythm this spring.—
Haley Smilow,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Infused with argan oil and linseed extract (and very little else), this oil immediately softens, detangles, conditions, and dials up shine—without ever feeling heavy or slick.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Neighbors confirmed seeing local police and FBI agents at the home in the suburban community of Southwest Ranches.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Relative humidity will remain in the 30% to 40% range on Wednesday and Thursday, with Friday seeing a return to normal dry season humidity of around 60%.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The clinic is to provide that information at the next status hearing on March 4.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Make better hearing easy and accessibly priced.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This could include asking questions about when patients are noticing their hives (after a hot shower or after being in the sun, for example), or asking patients to keep a symptom diary.—
Zia Sherrell,
Health,
20 Feb. 2026
-
But many are also noticing who’s devastated by the news these days and who isn’t.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smelling. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
