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

The air smells of jasmine, fresh bread from the bakery, and the sea. — Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026

Adriatic sage brings the outdoors in—this candle smells like an open window in the height of Italian summer, sunlight on tile floors, and triple servings of pasta to come in the late dusk. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026

Officials advise residents not to drink tap water that looks, smells or tastes unusual and to avoid drinking it if there is any question about its safety. — Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026

My usual deodorant has stopped working, and my sweat suddenly smells different or much stronger than before. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026

White vinegar has quietly become the go-to secret weapon for laundry that smells better, feels softer, and looks brighter. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026

Being attracted to how a partner smells is a real phenomenon, but isn’t necessarily due to pheromones. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

If more than a small portion is green, or the potato smells off, feels soft, or tastes bitter after cooking, discard it. — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026

Lavender While lavender smells lovely and is a calming scent for humans, mice think otherwise. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026

Noun

In short, unruly crowds, strange smells, intrusive noise and late nights are not unique inventions of the TikTok era. — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

While most people associate range hoods with smoke and strong smells, their role goes beyond that. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2026

The other special effects, like the spurts of air that shoot out of the headrests or the smells that waft throughout the theater, were few and far between during this screening. — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Cinnamon Rodents hate spicy smells, including the smell of cinnamon. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026

The smells of jerk chicken, brats and hot dogs filled the air but the vibe of a festival quickly disappeared as attendees carried garden rakes, bleach and diapers. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

In addition to losing absorbency, the combination of moisture and potential organic matter can lead to bacteria and mold growth and contribute to unpleasant smells. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 2026

Mayor Karen Bass had imposed a 45-day deadline for Lineage to clean everything up as neighbors complained of rotting smells, rodents and flies. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

And yet the office—its smells and politics, its grievances petty, existential, or edifying—must have made an impression. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026