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
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2
as in sensing
to have a vague awareness of
I smell something fishy about this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smelling
In front of a packed crowd of surgeons, Morton asked Abbott to breathe in the fumes of a sweet-smelling liquid, known as ether, contained inside a small glass sphere.
—
Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
The two pups immediately start smelling each other and wagging their tails, clearly stating their approval of one another.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Choosing a ripe cantaloup involves checking out the stem, looking at the color, smelling it, and examining its weight.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
With six petals that delicately curve outwards, this plant grows multiple sweet-smelling flowers on a single stem.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2025
Stroll past antique shops and sweet-smelling chocolatiers, where locals greet you by name.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Your Mood Could Get a Boost Drinking hojicha tea, or even smelling it, could boost your mood.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 19 Aug. 2025
Your throw pillows may come out smelling clean and fresh, but looking a lot shabbier.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025
Any dog bed that can ensure a clean-smelling and looking environment for both you and your pet is a 10/10 in our book.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 15 Aug. 2025
Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
The two pups immediately start smelling each other and wagging their tails, clearly stating their approval of one another.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Choosing a ripe cantaloup involves checking out the stem, looking at the color, smelling it, and examining its weight.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
With six petals that delicately curve outwards, this plant grows multiple sweet-smelling flowers on a single stem.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2025
Stroll past antique shops and sweet-smelling chocolatiers, where locals greet you by name.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Your Mood Could Get a Boost Drinking hojicha tea, or even smelling it, could boost your mood.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 19 Aug. 2025
Your throw pillows may come out smelling clean and fresh, but looking a lot shabbier.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025
Any dog bed that can ensure a clean-smelling and looking environment for both you and your pet is a 10/10 in our book.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smelling
Verb
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Myla Mae then explored more of her new toys, sniffing them and moving them around the house, her tail wagging the whole time.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
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There’s a narcotic detective, Roman (Regina King), who’s aggressively sniffing around after Hank catches a serious beating.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Ballhalla erupted, sensing the start of a comeback.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Jihan peers closer at these images, now sensing in some of them that her father seems preoccupied, as if already aware of the tragic fate that would befall him.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Both are intoxicated, and Roman agrees, but Dennis gets caught up in the moment and starts sucking on Roman’s toes.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Will abandons his students at the first sight of Agnes walking by the classroom window, and the two of them are sucking faces a minute later.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To fill the void, Potato grabbed his dad's shirt and cuddled with it, inhaling the scent of his human.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
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Each of his patients—like everyone—is already inhaling, drinking, and eating microplastics just by living in the world.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This type of bag will keep your essentials close without feeling bulky.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The jeans have a draping effect without feeling bulky, and the high-rise fit helps keep my shape cinched in.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His reaction to seeing his name on topping a list of creators who influence a billion dollar industry?—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
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Corr appeared to have knowledge of the victims daily routines and would make comments about ‘seeing them soon’.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Don Felder, a second cousin who now helps manage Gibson’s estate and legacy, grew up hearing her tell stories breaking the barriers in tennis and then in golf.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Davis remembers hearing the whispers of concern.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This could mean smiling at yourself in the mirror, reflecting on what nature offered you today, checking in with a friend or noticing a small act of self-kindness.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Hudak’s neighbor reported the watch missing after returning home from a two-week vacation and noticing it was gone on July 18, detectives say.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smelling. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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