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
Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The wispy tendril of smoke keeps the mosquitoes at bay and simultaneously smells like your best indoor candle, with notes of jasmine and salt air—a perfect accompanying scent for a summertime supper on the patio.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Ian Oliver describes the inspiration behind the project as an attempt to recreate the feeling of being outdoors, along with the sounds and smells associated with riding motorcycles in his youth.
—New Atlas, 29 May 2026
Plants like daffodils, hyacinths, and marigolds are flowers that deter squirrels because of their bright flowers, taste, and smells that squirrels don't like.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 28 May 2026
The tote harnesses one of 2026’s trendiest materials — raffia — and pairs it with the kind of full-grain leather that even smells the way leather should.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Like the name suggests, this lotion resembles and smells like creamy, fluffy vanilla frosting.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 25 May 2026
Shelves lined with baking ingredients, bolts of fabric, tinware, nails, and jars of penny candy created a patchwork of textures and smells ranging from molasses and leather to spices and tobacco smoke.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Rotten food looks wrong, smells wrong and tastes wrong — not by accident, but by design.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Along with hot, humid weather comes unpleasant smells at the sink and in trash cans and recycling bins.
—Emerson Latham, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026
This is where a lot of smells emanate from over time as material gets trapped in the pipes.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
That buildup can lead to musty smells and even maintenance issues (think poor draining) down the line.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 29 May 2026
If certain smells or experiences are bothering you, here are some other tips for managing postpartum odor and sweat.
—Dory Zayas, Parents, 28 May 2026
Use sachets or essential oils with these smells that keep moths away.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 May 2026
Pair with breadsticks or a crusty baguette for a meal that will fill your house with good smells.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 24 May 2026
Beware of stale smells, as there is still a possibility for bacteria to grow regardless of the salty base.
—Arabella Hau, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Verb
This smells like seven games all the way.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 1 June 2026
The wispy tendril of smoke keeps the mosquitoes at bay and simultaneously smells like your best indoor candle, with notes of jasmine and salt air—a perfect accompanying scent for a summertime supper on the patio.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
Ian Oliver describes the inspiration behind the project as an attempt to recreate the feeling of being outdoors, along with the sounds and smells associated with riding motorcycles in his youth.
—New Atlas, 29 May 2026
Plants like daffodils, hyacinths, and marigolds are flowers that deter squirrels because of their bright flowers, taste, and smells that squirrels don't like.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 28 May 2026
The tote harnesses one of 2026’s trendiest materials — raffia — and pairs it with the kind of full-grain leather that even smells the way leather should.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Like the name suggests, this lotion resembles and smells like creamy, fluffy vanilla frosting.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 25 May 2026
Shelves lined with baking ingredients, bolts of fabric, tinware, nails, and jars of penny candy created a patchwork of textures and smells ranging from molasses and leather to spices and tobacco smoke.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Rotten food looks wrong, smells wrong and tastes wrong — not by accident, but by design.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Noun
Nicholas spent his summers in Vienna, sampling the smells, sounds and tastes of his family’s restaurant.
—Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Along with hot, humid weather comes unpleasant smells at the sink and in trash cans and recycling bins.
—Emerson Latham, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026
This is where a lot of smells emanate from over time as material gets trapped in the pipes.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
That buildup can lead to musty smells and even maintenance issues (think poor draining) down the line.
—Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 29 May 2026
If certain smells or experiences are bothering you, here are some other tips for managing postpartum odor and sweat.
—Dory Zayas, Parents, 28 May 2026
Use sachets or essential oils with these smells that keep moths away.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 May 2026
Pair with breadsticks or a crusty baguette for a meal that will fill your house with good smells.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 24 May 2026
Beware of stale smells, as there is still a possibility for bacteria to grow regardless of the salty base.
—Arabella Hau, PEOPLE, 23 May 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
-
Mother senses that her children are imprisoned in an underground area and asks that they be set free.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Botwin explained that this occurs when the body senses any danger or stress associated with past trauma.—
Sarah Dewberry,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
People rely on the Amazon for water and the hotter, drier conditions should increase wildfire risk, Seabrook said, threatening to turn the Amazon, which now sucks heat-trapping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, into a region that worsens the problem.—
Seth Borenstein,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
-
People rely on the Amazon for water and the hotter, drier conditions should increase wildfire risk, Seabrook said, threatening to turn the Amazon, which now sucks heat-trapping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, into a region that worsens the problem.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The brand elevated itself into the niche fragrance space, offering premium scents and clean ingredients, targeting both wellness and beauty enthusiasts.—
Clara Ludmir,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
There are a variety of strong scents squirrels don't like, including peppermint essential oil, garlic, white vinegar, and ginger.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The locks are designed for outdoor installations too, with an IP65 weather resistance rating for protection against rain, splashes and dust.—
Paul Lamkin,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
Try your coffee warm or iced, with some cinnamon and a few splashes of unsweetened almond milk.—
Karen Berger,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The tortoiseshell palette is deconstructed in this look, which features a blend of full torties, chocolate brown tips, and barley there caramel auras.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
13 Apr. 2026
-
These characters have been somewhat thinly drawn despite the vibrant auras of Joy Sunday and Richard Jenkins since the beginning.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The chemical is particularly tough on the human respiratory system and, depending on how much a person inhales, MMA can cause everything from sore throats and cough to dizziness, nausea and, at the highest levels, damage to the nervous system, Kleinman said.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
But there are signs the government feels more confident of its hold over the area.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Energy markets don’t stop at state lines, so when one state rewrites the rules for major producers, every state feels it at the pump and on the power bill.—
Yaël Ossowski,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smells. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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