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

An amazing summer essential and handbag must-have, this refreshing body mist smells like sunshine in a bottle. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

But these days, an appeal to centrism smells more like a setup. — Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

When choosing a fresh pineapple, look for one that feels heavy and smells lightly sweet near the base. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 3 July 2026

Freshwater showers mean the sweaty smells of young adults doing manual labor never get too intense. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Summer Fun Nothing smells quite as funky as a swimsuit after a beach day. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026

With more and more families settling in cities in the second half of the 19th century, camps gave kids a refuge from the oppressive heat, rancid smells and grinding noise of summer in the city. — Derek H. Alderman, The Conversation, 26 June 2026

The Tustin Summer Academy is full of sights and sounds, and smells, that aren’t usually associated with a traditional summer camp. — Jeff Gritchen, Oc Register, 25 June 2026

Hassan hesitates over an undercooked backpass, Haaland smells blood, and Iraq are toast. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Noun

Misting systems also are being used on the exterior to reduce smells from the rotting food, while air quality monitoring is continuing in eight locations. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

And if mess is your main concern, a garage or outdoor setup keeps food smells and spills out of the house entirely. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026

These pads transfer the scent particles to the Jacobson’s organ, also called the vomeronasal organ—a specialized chemoreceptor on the roof of the mouth that helps detect smells. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 July 2026

Light citronella candles to help mask the smells that attract pests. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Baking soda works by absorbing odors and neutralizing musty, acidic smells from mildew, mold, and bacteria. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Meanwhile, special bags and a clamping system lock away smells that put a damper on cuddle time with your sweet new arrival. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 1 July 2026

Pick a spot with partial shade, good drainage, wind protection and enough distance from the house to avoid smells and noise. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026

Pay attention to warning lights, unusual noises, smells, leaks, or changes in how the vehicle drives. — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2026