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
Rachael O'Connor, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
The product lathers beautifully and smells divine.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
There’s no need to spend over $30 or more on a yummy scented candle that’s long-lasting, smells luxurious, and burns evenly.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Sensitivity to light, sound and smells can feel overwhelming.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 16 Dec. 2024
One of the worst home smells is a putrid-smelling refrigerator.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2024
This energetic cirrus scent smells like the heart of summer, ripe juicy lemons, and tangerine offset by apple and jasmine.
—Rose Dommu, Them, 11 Dec. 2024
Minimize smells by dealing quickly with accidents.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Elle Fanning is Sylvie Russo, a muse who politically activates Dylan at a key moment; the moniker may be different, but a Suze (Rotolo) by any other name smells just as sweet, and Fanning fleshes out a woman who’s too often been relegated to a footnote in Bob’s saga.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends getting dogs used to the new sounds, smells, and interruptions that come with a newborn in the months before, and associating these things with treats and rewards.
—Rachael O'Connor, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
The product lathers beautifully and smells divine.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
There’s no need to spend over $30 or more on a yummy scented candle that’s long-lasting, smells luxurious, and burns evenly.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Sensitivity to light, sound and smells can feel overwhelming.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 16 Dec. 2024
One of the worst home smells is a putrid-smelling refrigerator.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2024
This energetic cirrus scent smells like the heart of summer, ripe juicy lemons, and tangerine offset by apple and jasmine.
—Rose Dommu, Them, 11 Dec. 2024
Minimize smells by dealing quickly with accidents.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Elle Fanning is Sylvie Russo, a muse who politically activates Dylan at a key moment; the moniker may be different, but a Suze (Rotolo) by any other name smells just as sweet, and Fanning fleshes out a woman who’s too often been relegated to a footnote in Bob’s saga.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smells
Noun
-
Because butter’s subtle flavor can readily take on strong aromas, store butter away from pungent foods, such as onions, citrus, or herbs.—
Annie Peterson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Warm-climate Sauvignon Blanc from regions like California, South Africa, and parts of Australia feature aromas of ripe tropical fruit notes of pineapple and mango, along with peach and melon.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
And in fact, the IEA’s own medium-term forecast, out to 2030, suggests that oil demand will rise by 3 million barrels per day (mb/d) by 2030, versus the Stated Policies scenario in the latest World Energy Outlook, which sees 2030 oil demand as virtually unchanged from 2023.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The pair traded holds throughout the second in a high-quality showing, both giving little away.—
Leon Imber,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
-
Then send the littles home and catch the sequel to the ’90s slasher classics with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr., who reunite alongside a new generation, including Chase Sui Wonders and Madelyn Cline. July 25 49.—
Andrea Lavinthal,
People.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Depending on your manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, the cleaning pro says they should be either washed or dry cleaned at least once a year to eliminate and prevent odors.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Pet Supplies Just like your dog needs a regular bath to keep odors at bay, their supplies need washing too.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Our moods were instantly lifted at the sight of Florida’s only endemic bird species in its natural habitat.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Are these recurring nightmares, because sleep is very important to maintaining stable moods.—
Nate Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smells. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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