smell 1 of 2

verb

ˈsmel How to pronounce smell (audio)
Definition of smellnext
1
as in to sniff
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
as in to sense
to have a vague awareness of I smell something fishy about this situation

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to suck
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

smell

2 of 2

noun

1
as in scent
the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose the smell of vanilla is supposed to be very soothing

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in splash
a very small amount the pie has barely a smell of ginger, but lots of cinnamon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aura
a special quality or impression associated with something a law firm with a mahogany-lined boardroom that has the discernible smell of money and power

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun smell contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of smell are aroma, odor, and scent. While all these words mean "the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense," smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

When is it sensible to use aroma instead of smell?

The meanings of aroma and smell largely overlap; however, aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

How are the words odor and smell related?

Odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

When could scent be used to replace smell?

Although the words scent and smell have much in common, scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

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 smell
Verb
Here’s the deal: The best Oribe products smell ridiculously good, leave hair silky-soft, noticeably stronger, and are worth every bit of the splurge. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 5 June 2025 Sonny Carrillo was headed to a friend’s birthday dinner, dressed up and smelling of Acqua di Gio cologne. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Noun
State police alleged that Jones was showing clear signs of impairment, including bloodshot and glossy eyes as well as the smell of alcohol coming from him. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025 The most common symptoms were fatigue, irritability and mood changes, headaches, runny nose, cough, and loss of smell and taste. —Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
  1. sniff
  2. sense
  3. suck
  4. scent
  5. splash
  6. aura
  7. inhale
  8. feel
Verb
  • Cooking with Julia Child Her tendency to slap and sniff and taste everything without losing a shred of her dignity was there from the beginning.
    — Ina Garten, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
  • Stocks ended the week on an upswing, propped up by a better-than-expected jobs report and a rebound for Tesla , with the S & P 500 trading above 6,000 to sniff its all-time high.
    — Jesse Pound, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Definition of sniff
Verb
  • That is, whether people would lose the ability to sense when their body is experiencing a noxious stimuli, if enough of those stimuli are paired with a pleasurable reward.
    — Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Service dogs can sense oncoming seizures in their owners, while some say cats can recognize the presence of cancer.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 8 June 2025
Definition of sense
Verb
  • That’s the fun thing for me, is there’s no reason the next one couldn’t suck back in and be a chamber piece again.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022
  • Despite its appearance, the hummingbird’s tongue doesn't suck up nectar like a drinking straw.
    — National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
Definition of suck
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of scent
Noun
  • In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with a splash of jalapeño simple syrup.
    — Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2025
  • Blend frozen watermelon with a splash of lime juice to make watermelon slushies.
    — Sherri Gordon, Health, 11 June 2025
Definition of splash
Noun
  • Look, this is Florida’s third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final, so this team has an aura of confidence that’s unmatched by most others.
    — Michael Russo, New York Times, 15 June 2025
  • Even a few states that don't normally have the chance to spot the auras, like New York, might be able to catch a glimpse.
    — Skyler Caruso, People.com, 12 June 2025
Definition of aura
Verb
  • Recently, a Tempe, Arizona teenager, Renna Kay O'Rourke, engaged in a dangerous trend known as dusting—or inhaling chemicals from an aerosol duster or keyboard cleaner.
    — Sarah Scott, Parents, 12 June 2025
  • Whether in the hotel’s peaceful garden or a dedicated yoga room, guests can inhale crisp mountain air, soak in the alpine sun and reconnect with mind and body.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Definition of inhale
Verb
  • When leadership and management trust their workers to make good decisions, those workers feel empowered.
    — Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • The trick is to find a way for the listeners and the viewers to feel sufficiently informed.
    — Eric Lach, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
Definition of feel

Browse Nearby Words

smears
smell
smelled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on smell

Nglish: Translation of smell for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about smell

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

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

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
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?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All