as in scent
a sweet or pleasant smell the fragrance of lilac trees in full bloom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun fragrance differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of fragrance are perfume, redolence, and scent. While all these words mean "a sweet or pleasant odor," fragrance suggests the odors of flowers or other growing things.

the fragrance of pine

When can perfume be used instead of fragrance?

While the synonyms perfume and fragrance are close in meaning, perfume may suggest a stronger or heavier odor.

the perfume of lilacs

When might redolence be a better fit than fragrance?

The synonyms redolence and fragrance are sometimes interchangeable, but redolence implies a mixture of fragrant or pungent odors.

the redolence of a forest after a rain

How do scent and perfume relate to one another, in the sense of fragrance?

Scent is very close to perfume but of wider application because more neutral in connotation.

scent-free soaps

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 fragrance The fragrance, created by master perfumer Louise Turner, features scents of pink peppercorn, apple accord and bergamot essence at the top. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 June 2025 More than half the products contained fragrance — a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis — and 20 other inactive ingredients that are known allergens, according to the study. Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 9 June 2025 This rice shampoo bar is also free from sulfates, parabens, artificial fragrances, and dyes and claims to stimulate hair growth, strengthening each strand from the outside in with the Japanese rice water formula. Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2025 But that doesn’t just mean dessert-esque fragrances—the note can go sophisticated and subtle. Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fragrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fragrance
Noun
  • Botanical Name: Mentha Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Soil Type: Moist, well-draining Soil pH: Neutral 08 of 11 Petunias These colorful annuals have an unusual scent that flies seem to hate.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
  • They're known for having a sweet, warm and slightly spicy scent similar to cinnamon or nutmeg, and are commonly consumed in ground form as a spice added to recipes.
    Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • On a warm summer night, the presence of two huge bakeries seven blocks apart on Edmondson Avenue must have made for some sweet aromas.
    Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 7 June 2025
  • This cake is delicate and tender, with sweetness and coconut aroma that cuts all the way through.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Consumers have moved past the department store counters and simple spritzes of perfume.
    Essence, Essence, 12 June 2025
  • Sol de Janeiro Hair & Body Perfume Mist The Sol de Janeiro perfume comes in eight permanent fragrances.
    Anja Webb, Parents, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fragrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fragrance. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fragrance

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