odor

noun

ˈō-dər How to pronounce odor (audio)
Definition of odornext
1
as in smell
a special quality or impression associated with something the antique shop, with its collection of strange and curious items, held an odor of mysticism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in scent
the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose some people find the odor of skunk rather pleasant

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in reputation
overall quality as seen or judged by people in general her movie career has not been in good odor since her latest box office failure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun odor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of odor are aroma, scent, and smell. While all these words mean "the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense," odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

When might aroma be a better fit than odor?

While in some cases nearly identical to odor, aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

When would scent be a good substitute for odor?

The words scent and odor can be used in similar contexts, but scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

In what contexts can smell take the place of odor?

Although the words smell and odor have much in common, smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

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 odor Leaving wet clothes in the washer encourages mildew and lingering odors. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026 Residents have also raised concerns about persistent odors along the coastline. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026 This organic material serves as a food source for both mold and bacteria—which explains how showers can appear clean yet exhibit odor or discoloration in grout lines and corners, where organic matter tends to collect. —Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 10 May 2026 Additional finishing technologies from textile and materials innovation company HeiQ are used for cooling and odor control. —Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for odor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odor
  1. smell
  2. scent
  3. reputation
  4. aura
  5. aroma
  6. repute
  7. atmosphere
  8. name
Noun
  • The clearest signs of using too much laundry detergent are residue on clothes, stiff or sticky fabric after a wash, excessive suds during the cycle and a musty smell coming from your machine.
    — Ryan Brennan May 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
  • All around there was the pleasant rotten smell of dead fish in open air.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • Scientists assumed bull ants, which don’t rely primarily on scent navigation, had to wake up before dark and use the day’s last light to find their way to sustenance.
    — K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 17 May 2026
  • The scent of olive orchards and sea salt fill the air, the whizz of our tires the only soundtrack.
    — Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Definition of scent
Noun
  • The son of a Scottish immigrant, McCluskie had a reputation as a political street fighter and his gruff style complemented Becerra’s more measured, cerebral approach.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • Almost overnight, the reputation of that picture changed.
    — Peter Bogdanovich, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
Definition of reputation
Noun
  • This Greek villa has some serious aura.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 15 May 2026
  • Mateo fits perfectly into the night shifts aura.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Definition of aura
Noun
  • Don’t miss Shinrin-Yoku, a crisp and delicate Japanese-style rice lager, or the ever-popular Sightglass IPA, built on a pilsner malt base with aromas of berry and key lime.
    — Vivian Chung, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026
  • Don’t skip the almond extract—a small splash deepens the cherry flavor and gives the filling its bakery-style aroma.
    — Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026
Definition of aroma
Noun
  • So others speculate and then the Heat somehow are the ones who get caught in the spin cycle of various insiders of various repute trying to sell Substack subscriptions or generate clicks or views.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Two other veteran Dutch managers of significant repute had been in the reckoning, one of them a former boss of Manchester United.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
Definition of repute
Noun
  • That is pretty bizarre, given how fantastic both atmospheres have been throughout the playoffs.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • Kudos to the Exhale staff for maintaining the pristine atmosphere there.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Definition of atmosphere
Noun
  • Over the years, many notable dignitaries have stayed here; hence the names of the eight signature suites, which are named after an iconic political visitor, such as Roosevelt and John Adams.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
  • Police have not released a specific motive for the shooting the suspect's name.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Definition of name

Browse Nearby Words

odiums
odor
odored
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Odor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odor. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on odor

Nglish: Translation of odor for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about odor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of lacuna

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Financial Words With Surprising Origins

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

9 Financial Words With Surprising Origins

Strange Words for Body Functions
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
roulette-wheel-thirteen
13-Letter Word Quiz Thirteen words, thirteen letters each. It’s you...
See All