reeked; reeking; reeks
1
: to emit smoke or vapor
2
a
: to give off or become permeated with a strong or offensive odor
a room reeking of incense
b
: to give a strong impression of some constituent quality or feature
a neighborhood that reeks of poverty
3
: emanate
1
: to subject to the action of smoke or vapor
reeker
noun
Examples of reek in a Sentence
Noun
a terrible reek coming from the garbage can
couldn't see through the reek of smog and smoke surrounding the steel plant
Verb
those old sneakers reek something awful
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Here, again, is the kind of scenario that reeks of Moscow disinformation.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Yup, definitely need to go to work reeking of vodka.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reek
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Noun
Conor Heffernan, who lectures on the history of sports and fitness at Ulster University, in Ireland, said the current vogue for biohacking, and its protein boosterism, reeks of snake oil.
—Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Here, again, is the kind of scenario that reeks of Moscow disinformation.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
Jennifer worked knee-deep in oil for months, returning home reeking of fumes, covered in black splotches and breaking out in rashes and suffering headaches.
—Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Yup, definitely need to go to work reeking of vodka.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reek
Cite this Entry
“Reek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reek. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reek
1 of 2 noun1
: vapor sense 1, fog
2
: a strong or disagreeable fume or odor
reek
2 of 2 verb1
: to give off smoke or vapor
2
a
: to have a strong or unpleasant smell
the kitchen reeks of garlic
clothes reeking of tobacco smoke
b
: to give a strong impression of some feature or quality
she reeks of snobbery
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