as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell
your smelly sneakers are enough to raise the dead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smelly
These are more efficient than your average zippered disposable bags because the leakproof and waterproof bags can contain smelly clothes, messy lotions and gels, and more.
—
Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2025
Avoid adding smelly meats, fruit rinds or other sweet-smelling food scraps to your compost.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025
The smelly, hairy animals with terrible eyesight are actually a type of mammal known as a collared peccary.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
Words for different smells, or things that are smelly.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for smelly
Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2025
Avoid adding smelly meats, fruit rinds or other sweet-smelling food scraps to your compost.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025
The smelly, hairy animals with terrible eyesight are actually a type of mammal known as a collared peccary.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
Words for different smells, or things that are smelly.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for smelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smelly
Adjective
-
Four plays, 76 yards, in 25 stinking seconds.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
This is about a team with a top-10 payroll whose GM committed too stinking much of it to dogs that can’t, or won’t, pull the sled.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
22 Dec. 2019
Adjective
-
This Mumi Travel Laundry Bag is made of moisture-proof and odor-resistant material that locks in funky smells, preventing the rest of your clothing from getting stinky.—
Lauren Breedlove,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Jan. 2026
-
But don't fear—there are a few solutions to this stinky problem.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There's nothing quite like ripe, juicy blueberries picked at the height of the season.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Adding ripe avocado makes hummus greener, creamier, and more delicious.—
Riley Wofford,
Martha Stewart,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Vermin, malodorous airs and other issues caused 14 Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach restaurants to fail inspection last week.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Democrats are an eye-watering 26 points underwater while Republicans are a more mildly malodorous 11 points beneath the surface.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
With about six minutes remaining in the second half, fans reacted unfavorably to a foul call against Spartans forward Jaxson Kohler.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
But the Warriors were unable to also overcome Curry piling up four fourth-quarter fouls, which led to his first foul-out since 2021.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Having snow, slush, and (eventually) water all over my floors was a disgusting feeling.—
Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Merry Christmas ya filthy animals.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
26 Dec. 2025
-
In other words, Cunha’s job is to convince the Americans now running the federal government to give Brown’s motley crew of gender-benders, anti-Semites and filthy-rich legacies a good leaving alone.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
24 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Citizens Energy customers should be on the lookout for a seasonal greeting from the gas and water utility this winter — with a card that is more fetid than festive.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
10 Dec. 2025
-
From the fetid and overcrowded cells of the town’s migrant detention center, officers pick out a Sudanese man who had been arrested the day before.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smelly. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share