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
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Recent Examples of smells
Allure, 17 Feb. 2026
While many people reach for the detergent that smells the freshest, allergists say the fragrance isn’t doing your health any favors.
—Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Try to dump out the crumb tray in your toaster or toaster oven every week, and definitely do this now if your toaster smells smoky.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
These are the areas where, as Solodko explains, perishables interact, and smells can happen.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Simply bring your baby's play mat or blanket outdoors, remain quiet, and allow your child to observe sights, sounds, and smells.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 Feb. 2026
Visiting a museum could soon be a truly multisensory experience—smells included.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026
Can’t Get Enough by Initio smells like boozy roses, pink pepper, and warm caramel.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Light it before your guests arrive, and everyone will be gushing over how delicious your home smells.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2026
Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
People described different smells in different areas — from Bloomingdale to Roselle to Addison and Wood Dale, even to Buffalo Grove and the Wisconsin border.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
This Mumi Travel Laundry Bag is made of moisture-proof and odor-resistant material that locks in funky smells, preventing the rest of your clothing from getting stinky.
—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Great for pet smells and musty spots.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
Aptly named, The Wedding Silk Santal smells of sparkling champagne, pink praline, and the juiciest nectarines.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 4 Feb. 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
Verb
Anchored in bergamot, smoke, and oakwood, Rouge Chaotique smells like a crunchy walk through a forest.
—Allure, 17 Feb. 2026
While many people reach for the detergent that smells the freshest, allergists say the fragrance isn’t doing your health any favors.
—Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Try to dump out the crumb tray in your toaster or toaster oven every week, and definitely do this now if your toaster smells smoky.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
These are the areas where, as Solodko explains, perishables interact, and smells can happen.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Simply bring your baby's play mat or blanket outdoors, remain quiet, and allow your child to observe sights, sounds, and smells.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 Feb. 2026
Visiting a museum could soon be a truly multisensory experience—smells included.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026
Can’t Get Enough by Initio smells like boozy roses, pink pepper, and warm caramel.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Light it before your guests arrive, and everyone will be gushing over how delicious your home smells.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
To get rid of those smells, check for leaks and make repairs.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
People described different smells in different areas — from Bloomingdale to Roselle to Addison and Wood Dale, even to Buffalo Grove and the Wisconsin border.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
This Mumi Travel Laundry Bag is made of moisture-proof and odor-resistant material that locks in funky smells, preventing the rest of your clothing from getting stinky.
—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Great for pet smells and musty spots.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026
Aptly named, The Wedding Silk Santal smells of sparkling champagne, pink praline, and the juiciest nectarines.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 4 Feb. 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
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
-
Zelensky senses that, and so do his enemies.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
-
When damage occurs, whether as a crack, fracture, or microscopic defect, the material senses the disruption and activates an internal repair response.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That’s because fans are designed to remove moisture quickly, which can often create negative pressure that sucks warm air out of the room faster than the central HVAC can replace it, especially in winter.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Pentagon threatens Scouting America over DEI 'The system sucks.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some of the more common extra therapies are basic massaging and scents, which are intended to promote relaxation.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Even small updates, think calming scents, new throw pillows or a fresh area rug, can instantly shift the energy of a room.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Every room is understated and done in grays, white marbles, and earth tones—plus splashes of blue representing Lake Michigan—and comes with one of four types of soaking tubs, all deliciously inviting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The collection, all black save for splashes of red and silky cream and deep brown plum moments, wasn't worth the wait but had bright spots in utility-style vests and jackets, a black funnel-neck piece with tiers of straps down and around like a straightjacket.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The film follows a quiet inmate arriving at a violent Indonesian prison with a supernatural entity that kills those with the darkest auras.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
-
This airbrush design on a long square nail comprises a mix of French-tip auras, clear blobs, and 3D florals for a fun and funky design.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The 17 treatment rooms are named after America’s Cup champions, there’s an indoor pool surrounded by loungers that feels like the deck of a cruise ship, and the Boiler Room is the spa’s high-end fitness center stocked with Technogym equipment.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Eight years after launching her eponymous cosmetics brand Westman Atelier, the makeup artist feels more self-assured than ever.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
What might be a pleasant wine on the ground often loses nuance or becomes imbalanced in flight since the low cabin pressure tends to mute aromas.—
Karla Walsh,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Garnet to the eye, this stunning wine opens with aromas of tobacco leaf, Luxardo cherry, red plum, and black raspberry with just a whiff of minerality and graphite.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smells. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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