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
Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
Both agree that even the rain, somehow, smells different in this country.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Make the living room more inviting with a scented candle that smells like Christmas cookies, a Lego poinsettia building set that can be displayed as decor, and other festive finds.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Abandoned Mansion smells like history and curiosity intertwined, the scent of someone worth unraveling.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025
Black River, Jamaica — The air smells of damp earth and drying mud.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
To keep pungent grease smells at bay, plan to thoroughly clean your range hood, specifically the vent, every 3 to 6 months.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Not the view, but these first sounds, smells, and tastes landed me in South America.
—Ryan Knighton, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
The sunbaked air smells like creosote.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025
Between the sounds, the smells and the watchable crowd, the neighborhood was happening.
—Ken Perrotte, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
If fancy smells aren’t your thing, there’s also a fragrance-free version.
—Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
Odor and the French Social Imagination is essentially a book about the declining tolerance for strong smells in 18th and 19th-century France.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
When guests arrive this fall, they’ll be greeted by the welcoming smells of a delicious dessert worthy of royalty.
—Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 25 Oct. 2025
The Smell and the Standards Many commenters focused on the potent smells that can be hidden until furniture is moved out.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The smells of urine and bat poop permeated.
—Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025
Tupac loved the arcade — the smells, the sounds, the lights.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Open air is what [Texas] smells like.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
Both agree that even the rain, somehow, smells different in this country.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Make the living room more inviting with a scented candle that smells like Christmas cookies, a Lego poinsettia building set that can be displayed as decor, and other festive finds.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Abandoned Mansion smells like history and curiosity intertwined, the scent of someone worth unraveling.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025
Black River, Jamaica — The air smells of damp earth and drying mud.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
To keep pungent grease smells at bay, plan to thoroughly clean your range hood, specifically the vent, every 3 to 6 months.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Not the view, but these first sounds, smells, and tastes landed me in South America.
—Ryan Knighton, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
The sunbaked air smells like creosote.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Its natural deodorizing properties help neutralize the unpleasant smells associated with pets, according to Stein.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025
Between the sounds, the smells and the watchable crowd, the neighborhood was happening.
—Ken Perrotte, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
If fancy smells aren’t your thing, there’s also a fragrance-free version.
—Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
Odor and the French Social Imagination is essentially a book about the declining tolerance for strong smells in 18th and 19th-century France.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
When guests arrive this fall, they’ll be greeted by the welcoming smells of a delicious dessert worthy of royalty.
—Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 25 Oct. 2025
The Smell and the Standards Many commenters focused on the potent smells that can be hidden until furniture is moved out.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The smells of urine and bat poop permeated.
—Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025
Tupac loved the arcade — the smells, the sounds, the lights.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smells
Verb
-
The first is Christopher Walken as Gabriel, a mean-spirited angel who sniffs and licks crime scenes and inspects children’s teeth for reasons that sort of make sense within the movie.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In the clip, an elderly woman stands holding a bowl and a spoon beside a massive brown bear that sniffs her feet.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One senses enormous momentum already, with the film a full-fledged phenomenon in its home country.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
-
O'Donnell walks over to his black horse Duke who senses the unsettled energy coming from the captain.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Other high-end finds include platform Ugg boots that can literally elevate your winter wardrobe, plus a Bissell vacuum that sucks up debris and washes floors clean.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Robert’s life sucks, right down to his depressingly sparse apartment.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
What to Do The best way to fall in love with this beautiful city is to explore it by foot, and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and scents that make each neighborhood unique.—
Emily Baldwin,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Give me all the fruity, gourmand and feminine scents galore.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
That’s all great, but the Guardians aren’t ones to make free-agent splashes, and that’s especially the case with a potential work stoppage clouding everything after the 2026 season.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
But just like those old Higdon’s the new model splashes and bobs aggressively.—
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
People read auras and palms, too.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But now, without improved results between the pipes, the Atlantic Division win the Leafs earned last season feels improbable.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
When a baby or toddler has a meltdown or feels overwhelmed, parents can see it as an opportunity to teach resilience.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Your family will come home to delicious aromas wafting through the house from this classic slow-cooker Mississippi Pot Roast.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Tea lovers will love indulging in the flavors and aromas of these 24 black, green, oolong, white, and herbal teas from Vahdam Tea.—
Molly Blanco,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smells. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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