1
2
as in senses
to have a vague awareness of
I smell something fishy about this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in scents
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 splashes
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 auras
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.
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Recent Examples of smells
Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026
Take a short local hike, moving slowly and focusing on the sights, sounds and smells.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Clothing While that plastic bag from the dry cleaner is fine for short periods, zip-top bags will trap moisture and smells.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2026
Add these things to your next cleaning day for a home that smells amazing.
—Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 17 Jan. 2026
This can look like taking a moment to take in what your food looks and smells like, and chewing your food slowly, noticing the taste and texture – like a wine-tasting experience but with your meal.
—Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
Littered with luxury candles, the apartment smells as good as her.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Run them to remove moisture and smells after cooking or bathing.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026
Monaci Delle Terre Nere is the way that the air smells like lavender, and a little like ash, from nearby Mount Etna.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
Each unit’s weekly cleaning regimen includes completely emptying the waste with the vacuum truck’s suction wand, adding deodorizer that breaks down future waste and mitigates bad smells, scrubbing and disinfecting every surface inside the unit, and restocking paper goods.
—Tom Huddleston Jr.
mickey Todiwala, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2026
In fact, breathable bags of activated charcoal are one of Palmer's go-to tools for banishing bad smells.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 22 Jan. 2026
For me, the myriad sounds and smells of the outdoors are a natural serotonin; the presence of wildlife contributes further to my sense of well-being and calm.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
The benefits of exchanging stale inside air for fresh outside air include ensuring adequate ventilation, reducing moisture build-up, getting rid of bad smells and helping fight mold, The Guardian said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Each one is overflowing with the familiar sights of families taking a passeggiata, or stroll, the aromatic smells of fresh pasta and pizza napoletana, and the musical sounds of the Italian language and its many regional dialects.
—Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
If pipes burst Insurance companies like Progressive and Allstate said burst pipes can be identified by strange smells coming from sinks, hearing water when no tap is running and visible water damage to walls and ceilings, as well as little to no water pressure.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
Fine'ry Not Another Cherry Eau de Parfum Not Another Cherry smells like another high-end cherry fragrance that retails for more than 10x the price.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026
Take a short local hike, moving slowly and focusing on the sights, sounds and smells.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Clothing While that plastic bag from the dry cleaner is fine for short periods, zip-top bags will trap moisture and smells.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2026
Add these things to your next cleaning day for a home that smells amazing.
—Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 17 Jan. 2026
This can look like taking a moment to take in what your food looks and smells like, and chewing your food slowly, noticing the taste and texture – like a wine-tasting experience but with your meal.
—Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2026
Littered with luxury candles, the apartment smells as good as her.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Run them to remove moisture and smells after cooking or bathing.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026
Monaci Delle Terre Nere is the way that the air smells like lavender, and a little like ash, from nearby Mount Etna.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
Its natural deodorizing properties help neutralize the unpleasant smells associated with pets, according to Stein.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
Each unit’s weekly cleaning regimen includes completely emptying the waste with the vacuum truck’s suction wand, adding deodorizer that breaks down future waste and mitigates bad smells, scrubbing and disinfecting every surface inside the unit, and restocking paper goods.
—Tom Huddleston Jr.
mickey Todiwala, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2026
In fact, breathable bags of activated charcoal are one of Palmer's go-to tools for banishing bad smells.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 22 Jan. 2026
For me, the myriad sounds and smells of the outdoors are a natural serotonin; the presence of wildlife contributes further to my sense of well-being and calm.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
The benefits of exchanging stale inside air for fresh outside air include ensuring adequate ventilation, reducing moisture build-up, getting rid of bad smells and helping fight mold, The Guardian said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Each one is overflowing with the familiar sights of families taking a passeggiata, or stroll, the aromatic smells of fresh pasta and pizza napoletana, and the musical sounds of the Italian language and its many regional dialects.
—Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026
If pipes burst Insurance companies like Progressive and Allstate said burst pipes can be identified by strange smells coming from sinks, hearing water when no tap is running and visible water damage to walls and ceilings, as well as little to no water pressure.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smells
Verb
-
In the video, Chilli sniffs large bricks to locate the scent a trainer shared with him.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Tovar is the one officer who immediately sniffs out that there’s something weird about Gacy, and Luna incrementally nudges the character further and further into obsession.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Sandeep Vaheesan, the legal director at the Open Markets Institute, senses similar changes—but welcomes them.—
Nick Bowlin,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Her character, Zosia, may have had to honor Carol Sturka’s (Rhea Seehorn) request for an atom bomb, but based on their parting glance, Wydra still senses some indecision from Carol about this manner of escalation.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Each tiny seed sucks up water to form a layer of mucilage, creating a gel-like texture.—
Andrew Coletti,
Popular Science,
14 Jan. 2026
-
In the end, none of it makes any difference because everybody’s ballot sucks anyway.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Boy Smells makes playful body and hair mists that come in seven scents, including Cherry Slay and Lycheelicious.—
Andrea Navarro,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The greenery, towering 20 feet above the congregation, brought scents of the forest into the Abbey, and it was said at the time to reflect the couple’s love of the countryside.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Not for escapism, per se – Roseberry’s Schiaparelli show, one of his finest and weirdest to date, vibrated with implications about our world’s rigid definition of beauty, with horns, feathers and splashes of neon – but for indulgence.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Add the carrot sauce and a couple splashes of pasta water, and toss to combine.—
Hailee Catalano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Deep red auras glow against a glossy black backdrop.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Labubus allowed fashion girlies to get nostalgic with their Birkins, the trad look swept social media’s most aesthetic corners, and the TikTok generation (following its near US ban) began farming its auras.—
Ella Graveney,
Vogue,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Despite a disappointing launch back in 2016, the developers stuck with it and have crafted a wildly successful and long-running space sim that feels like a greatest hits montage of all the games that came before it.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Name what already feels safe and what needs time, and the right people should care about the difference.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This natural chemical reaction triggers browning, richer flavor, and tempting aromas.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Sophisticated with an Old World sensibility, this wine offers aromas of chocolate-mocha, black currant, tobacco, and pencil led.—
Liz Thach,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smells. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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