smelly

adjective

ˈsme-lē How to pronounce smelly (audio)
Definition of smellynext
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell your smelly sneakers are enough to raise the dead

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Dispose of any smelly garbage or sticky residues, as these can attract flies and ants. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 25 June 2026 During hot weather, if your trash often contains wet food scraps that quickly become smelly, like vegetable peels, produce, leftovers, meat, or fish, clean the bin every two weeks. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 July 2026 There's a smelly situation on the beach in Provincetown, Massachusetts after thousands of squid washed up on shore. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 8 June 2026 Store smelly wood such as cedar or pine and petroleum products, including tar paper, paint, turpentine, kerosene, rubber and charcoal fluid. — Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for smelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smelly
  1. stinking
  2. stinky
  3. ripe
  4. malodorous
  5. foul
  6. disgusting
  7. filthy
  8. fetid
Adjective
  • America’s political landscape has become a stinking mess.
    — Mary Ellen Klas, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026
  • America’s political landscape has become a stinking mess.
    — Mary Ellen Klas, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
Definition of stinking
Adjective
  • Let’s respect and appreciate nature in all its messy, sometimes stinky beauty at the cove.
    — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2026
  • Your bath towels and stinky socks should probably be washed in warm.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 June 2026
Definition of stinky
Adjective
  • Water brings notes of red grape skins, ripe peach, vanilla, allspice and wood smoke.
    — Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Sweet, juicy, ripe fruits make July and August a bit easier to bear.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 July 2026
Definition of ripe
Adjective
  • Skunks can cause anxiety in homeowners by harming lawns and possibly threatening Rover with their malodorous defenses.
    — Felicia Feaster, Martha Stewart, 20 June 2026
  • Be advised that only a small fraction of arums are malodorous.
    — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Definition of malodorous
Adjective
  • The foul call that wiped out Egypt’s second goal was poised to be a flashpoint moment from this match, particularly if Argentina was in position to come back to win.
    — NBC News, NBC news, 7 July 2026
  • After making all six of his shots and four of his free throws on Friday, Lendeborg was 0 for 4 from the field and missed both of his foul shots in the first half.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Definition of foul
Adjective
  • Noah Kahan is speaking out about a disgusting habit picked up by some music fans.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • French broadcaster French Pierron was under fire for calling childbirth 'a disgusting moment.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • From shabby apartments to art experiments to filthy needles—with echoes of Patti Smith and Rebecca Makkai—Adler conjures an era of sorrow borne by too many, too young.
    — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026
  • A week after Venezuela’s twin earthquakes, doctors warn untreated wounds, filthy shelters and scarce supplies are fueling a looming wave of infections that could claim more lives.
    — Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of filthy
Adjective
  • The bleak tortures Ohm concocts for his characters are as vile as the Bilberry’s fetid jacuzzi.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Tired of the stale, fetid air looming over your apartment like a cloud?
    — Brad Bourque, Wired News, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of fetid

Browse Nearby Words

smells (of)
smelly
smidgen
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smelly. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on smelly

Nglish: Translation of smelly for Spanish Speakers

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