NOISOME Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'noisome' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of noisome are fetid , fusty , malodorous , musty , putrid , rank , and stinking . While all these words mean "bad-smelling," noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive. // a stagnant, noisome sewer

Q: How do 'fusty' and 'musty' relate to one another, in the sense of 'noisome'?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age. // a fusty attic // the musty odor of a damp cellar

Q: When could 'malodorous' be used to replace 'noisome'?

The words malodorous and noisome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive. // malodorous fertilizers

Q: When might 'putrid' be a better fit than 'noisome'?

While the synonyms putrid and noisome are close in meaning, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter. // the putrid smell of rotting fish

Q: When is it sensible to use 'rank' instead of 'noisome'?

While in some cases nearly identical to noisome , rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell. // rank cigar smoke

Q: How are the words 'stinking' and 'fetid' related as synonyms of 'noisome'?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting. // prisoners were held in stinking cells // the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

noisome

adjective

ˈnȯi-səm

Definition of noisome

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment a noisome remark about my weight that stuck with me for days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stinking

having an unpleasant smell the noisome air of the area of the city that was downwind of the dog food factory

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in poisonous

bad for the well-being of the body it's no fun having asthma and living in an area with noisome smog

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word noisome distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of noisome are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, putrid, rank, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

How do fusty and musty relate to one another, in the sense of noisome?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic

the musty odor of a damp cellar

When could malodorous be used to replace noisome?

The words malodorous and noisome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

When might putrid be a better fit than noisome?

While the synonyms putrid and noisome are close in meaning, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

When is it sensible to use rank instead of noisome?

While in some cases nearly identical to noisome, rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

How are the words stinking and fetid related as synonyms of noisome?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells

the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

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 noisome Farmers agreed to reduce the emissions of the country’s noisome pigs. — The Economist, 9 July 2019 But her water bowl is filled with a noisome black, brackish liquid — what has fouled it, and for how long, is anyone’s guess. — Gene Weingarten, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2021 And there were some years where his fame was turned infamous by serious accusations of the most noisome acts. — Ashley Cullins, Billboard, 3 May 2021 Having gone in the tank for Griffin, North Carolina’s highest courts are a noisome example of why partisanship ought to have no place in judicial selection. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025 Auschwitz was his laboratory, offering limitless subjects and unbound by noisome ethical inhibitions. — David Margolick, WSJ, 24 Jan. 2020 Performers like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, who long ago bartered their integrity and believability for money and ratings, can peddle their noisome pro-Trump propaganda on Fox News. — Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for noisome

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

Lasko’s teammate, Devin Taylor, was able to get up and field the rolling ball that split the two defenders, but Lasko stayed on the ground in what was a pretty ugly crash.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
His ability to perform a cesarean section — something Doc couldn't dream of — forces the town to reckon with an ugly part of their collective conscience.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026

Definition of ugly

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

But there are multiple Ebola strains, and those vaccines, treatments, and tests aren’t effective against the rarer strain, Bundibugyo, sickening people today.

— Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026
Toxic fumes are leaking into airplanes and sickening passengers and crew members at an alarming rate, according to a September 2025 report by The Wall Street Journal.

— Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026

Definition of sickening

Articles Related to noisome

Cite this Entry

Style

“Noisome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noisome. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of noisome

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Odd Word Out: Synonyms Quiz

What's that Smell?! Quiz

What's that smell? Obscure Words for...

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on noisome

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes