Synonyms of smelling

smelling

verb

present participle of smell

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

• sniffing
• inhaling
• scenting
• whiffing
• snuffing
• breathing
• nosing
• drinking (in)
• snorting
• respiring
• snuffling
• savoring

2

as in sensing

to have a vague awareness of

I smell something fishy about this situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sensing
• feeling
• seeing
• hearing
• noticing
• perceiving
• tasting
• scenting
• expecting
• realizing
• anticipating
• discovering
• looking (at)
• noting
• learning
• remarking
• spying
• witnessing
• viewing
• observing
• beholding
• distinguishing
• ascertaining
• sighting
• eyeing
• discerning
• regarding
• suspecting
• espying
• guessing
• foreseeing
• finding out
• divining
• supposing
• descrying
• speculating
• assuming
• presuming
• catching on (to)
• foreknowing
• conjecturing
• surmising

3

as in sucking

to be objectionable or unsatisfactory

that movie smells—I wouldn't waste my money on it if I were you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sucking
• biting
• stinking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ruling
• rocking

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of smelling

Toss the lemons into the washer and run a quick cycle with hot water to leave the machine shining and smelling fresh. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2026

Just like smelling a particular fragrance can bring back a memory faster than any other sense, a Taylor Swift song strikes an immediate, familiar chord. — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026

Speaking of foul-smelling things, where would humanity be without the now Ig Nobel–winning knowledge of what happens to 1,000 pairs of underpants buried for months at sites around the globe? — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2026

How To Remove Lingering Odors or Mildew Smells To tackle lingering odors or mildew smells, try adding one cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle, which helps break down odor-causing bacteria and leaves your bath mat smelling fresh. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026

If the threat persists, the snake may bite its opponent, coil around it, and emit a foul-smelling secretion from its anal glands. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026

By the end of the night — or beginning of the day — everyone leaves the bar smelling like cigarettes. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026

Black could be licorice or blueberries, though a very dark, foul-smelling stool can flag intestine or liver issues. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Black may follow black licorice or blueberries, though persistently dark, foul-smelling stool can point to intestinal or liver issues. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026