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

Spiky Mexican feathergrass pushes through the gravel in the high desert that smells of creosote after a light rain. —Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Avoid salmon that looks dull, smells strong, feels mushy, or shows gaps in the flesh. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 13 Apr. 2026

The hotel reopened in 2023, but everything still feels (and smells) brand new. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026

Nearly all get delivered by McKellen’s Julian, waving a champagne coupe while monologuing about humidifiers, cancel culture and a doctor who smells like radishes. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026

The visuals are augmented by movement of the seating as well as special effects with mist and smells. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026

The fresh, feminine, and energizing fragrance smells like spring in a bottle with top notes of neroli, yuzu, orange blossom, and jasmine. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026

Its vanilla scent smells good enough to eat. —Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

Long-lasting How a deodorant smells is only half the battle. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026

Noun

However, on appliances that aren’t washed just by the process of using them, this DIY duo may leave a slick film and odd, lingering smells. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026

Inside Akal Travel Center, a 24-hour truck stop on Wyoming’s high plains, the smells of sizzling garlic and earthy curry powder permeate the air. —David Williams, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026

Triggers can be smells, sounds, places, postures or tones of voice. —Dr. Andrew Garner, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026

Once any chemical smells are gone, a lightly scented candle or diffuser adds a nice touch without being too overpowering. —Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026

Sugary residue and meat smells are major wasp attractants. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026

Clean Outdoor Food Areas After Every Use Sugary residue and meat smells are major wasp attractants. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026

This helps absorb lingering smells. —Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026

Canines enjoy sticks because of the smells, tastes and textures, but giving them such objects can encourage risky chewing habits. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026