smelled

variants or chiefly British smelt
past tense of smell
1
as in sniffed
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

Relevance
2
3
as in sucked
to be objectionable or unsatisfactory that movie smells—I wouldn't waste my money on it if I were you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 smelled Beans sometimes smelled rancid. Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025 The Red Lane Spa, which smelled of ylang-ylang and frangipani, was another highlight. Essence, 18 Oct. 2025 The professional chef, who had never smelled her own feet before, screamed as Barrymore picked up her foot and gave it a sniff. Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025 The whole room smelled like old furniture and melted ice pops. Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025 My dad considered luxury his old Jaguar two-seater that smelled of leather and oil, a cigar and a brandy, and long, indulgent lunches at great restaurants. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025 For the first time all year, the woods actually smelled like fall. Brad Dokken, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025 The outlet said the floor smelled like Febreze. Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025 Breeja had already smelled us in the hallway and started looking for us, clearly excited but a little confused. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smelled
Verb
  • The Raiders sniffed out a screen before a pop-pass gave him a lane for his first touchdown in 392 days.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2025
  • San Marcos tried a flea flicker on its last-gasp play, but it was sniffed out by the Carlsbad defense.
    John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Quinn felt the defense could improve on several things to further limit fellow powers down the line, but Grace Hagan, Kendal Cusack and Ella Dacey played a major role in the Porkers still only allowing just three total shots despite Canton’s elite firepower.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Their 3-1 victory over the Brewers on Thursday, in a game that felt more comfortable than the score might have indicated, put them in position to get back to the World Series for the second year in a row, third time in six years and fifth time in the last nine.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His frequent use of direct-to-camera narration initially seems like a cloying misstep (mostly because so many other movies have sucked the fun out of that device).
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
  • There is no shortage of pundits and fans who say Guardiola’s influence has been a turn-off, claiming the focus on possession and building from the back had sucked the joy, spontaneity and unpredictability out of the Premier League.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Its use was banned in many countries around the turn of the millennium amid concerns that the fibers, when airborne, could result in potentially fatal lung diseases if inhaled.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Previous research has found that TCE, when inhaled or ingested, can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and cause damage to neurons.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Had his dad not sensed something and dialed 911, Andrew, a star baseball player turned gambling addict in college, would have quietly checked out at age 33, leaving his twin infant sons, his guilt-crippled parents, and many thousands of dollars in gambling debts behind.
    Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Long and Jin Drexel both said Jin may have sensed the arrest was coming, telling them both in recent weeks that persecution could lead to a new wave of revival among Christianity.
    Chandelis Duster, NPR, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The trees were cut down, sawed in half, hollowed out and tied back together for the musicians to use.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Fanatics shared the moment Tennessee Titans first overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, saw Brady pop up on the screen to give him some wise words.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Everyone who has tasted this dish loves it.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The chickpeas, coated in a rich, pumpkin butter sauce, tasted slightly sweet with just enough heat from the pinches of cayenne pepper.
    Ashia Aubourg, Outside, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Craft had not noticed the python biting Cruz.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
  • However, Kutcher noticed a double standard still exists.
    Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Smelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smelled. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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