Synonyms of smells

smells 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of smell

1

as in sniffs

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

• sniffs
• inhales
• scents
• whiffs
• noses
• snuffs
• breathes
• drinks (in)
• snorts
• respires
• savors
• snuffles

2

as in senses

to have a vague awareness of

I smell something fishy about this situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• senses
• feels
• sees
• notices
• tastes
• perceives
• hears
• scents
• sights
• expects
• looks (at)
• realizes
• eyes
• notes
• anticipates
• witnesses
• discovers
• remarks
• learns
• beholds
• discerns
• views
• suspects
• distinguishes
• observes
• foresees
• finds out
• spies
• regards
• espies
• supposes
• descries
• presumes
• guesses
• assumes
• ascertains
• speculates
• catches on (to)
• divines
• surmises
• foreknows
• conjectures

3

as in sucks

to be objectionable or unsatisfactory

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sucks
• bites
• stinks

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rocks
• rules

smells

2 of 2

noun

plural of smell

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

• scents
• aromas
• stenches
• sniffs
• odors
• fragrances
• perfumes
• whiffs
• savors
• stinks
• spices
• redolences
• reeks
• fragrancies
• malodors
• attars
• musks
• bouquets
• tangs
• incenses
• funks
• aromaticities
• fetors
• rancidities
• ambrosias

2

as in splashes

a very small amount

the pie has barely a smell of ginger, but lots of cinnamon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• splashes
• specks
• hints
• touches
• glimmers
• sprinklings
• little
• licks
• bits
• traces
• particles
• sparks
• shadows
• shades
• dabs
• smacks
• bites
• flecks
• handfuls
• spatters
• rays
• ounces
• crumbs
• suspicions
• peanuts
• drams
• streaks
• tastes
• shreds
• nips
• mites
• spots
• strains
• drops
• slivers
• soupçons
• scruples
• driblets
• pinches
• molecules
• smidgens
• skoshes
• snaps
• dashes
• scintillas
• parts
• drops in the bucket
• grains
• aces
• vestiges
• atoms
• syllables
• patches
• granules
• doses
• fragments
• scraps
• nibbles
• motes
• portions
• dots
• semblances
• jots
• minims
• sections
• morsels
• minima
• flyspecks
• hoots
• shivers
• nubbins
• whits
• chips
• modicums
• flakes
• smatterings
• splinters
• iotas
• clippings
• scatterings
• shards
• shavings
• tittles
• smatters
• parings
• tatters
• smithereens
• shots

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loads
• piles
• quantities
• mountains
• lots
• masses
• barrels
• stacks
• heaps
• deals
• bushels
• bundles
• messes
• buckets
• gobs
• boatloads
• abundances
• fistfuls
• wads
• reams
• rafts
• scads
• oodles
• pecks
• volumes
• much
• wealths
• lashings
• profusions
• excesses
• potfuls
• surpluses
• overflows
• plenties
• passels
• embarrassments
• superfluities
• slabs
• chunks
• bonanzas
• lumps
• overmuch
• hunks
• overages
• surfeits
• oversupplies
• superabundances
• overabundances
• overkills

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

• auras
• aromas
• feels
• atmospheres
• feelings
• flavors
• senses
• odors
• airs
• moods
• vibrations
• climates
• ambiences
• tempers
• notes
• halos
• patinas
• karmas
• characteristics
• spirits
• romances
• nimbi
• sensations
• pictures
• images
• notions
• attributes
• tones
• traits
• properties
• colors
• mystiques
• aureoles
• illusions
• peculiarities
• suggestions
• overtones
• genius locis
• characters
• marks
• semblances

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of smells

Verb

It’s grounded in a specific place, carrying with it all the tastes, smells and textures McFadden can relive from that trip. — Harry Levin, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Excess detergent and fabric softener can leave residue that traps smells. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 28 July 2026

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, 27 July 2026

The Great Greenland tannery in Qaqortoq, in southern Greenland, looks like a giant dry cleaner’s and smells briny like the ocean. — Ivor Prickett, New York Times, 24 July 2026

This routine prevents stagnant water smells, hard water stains, and mineral buildup that can occur even in a toilet that hasn’t been used in a while. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026

Musty smells in the car or weak AC flow can be signs of ash in your system. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 20 July 2026

While fresh and bright, this juice smells and tastes very much like apple juice. — Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 20 July 2026

Cook, stirring frequently, until the flour is lightly browned and smells toasty, 2 to 3 minutes. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 19 July 2026

Noun

Keep your washing machine clean monthly to prevent bacteria and bad smells. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 30 July 2026

Now a study in PLOS Biology suggests these vivid memories of early childhood smells are encoded in very specific parts of the brain. — Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 29 July 2026

But with temperatures spiking, the crisis over smoke from the fire has given way to a second crisis over putrid smells, insects, rodents and growing concerns over sanitation. — Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

This helps prevent stains and lingering smells and improves indoor air quality. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Many of us become super sensitive to sounds, smells, bright lights—all of it—after having kids. — Parents, 19 July 2026

Its odor-neutralizing technology helps guard against any harmful or unpleasant smells from the vacuum, keeping your home fresher. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026

Today, visitors to the property can go on tours, take in the smells of roses and herbs — and of course, taste the wine. — Simone Jasper july 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026

If smells or flavors linger, fill the inside with warm water and leave it for an hour before washing again with a cleaning solution. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026