1
2
as in to sense
to have a vague awareness of
I smell something fishy about this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 14 Apr. 2025
After even a short amount of time, a home with high humidity will begin to smell musty and grow mold.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
Several residents called to report the smell to the department, Huntersville fire said in a post on X Tuesday.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Verb
Instead of stopping the supplement, consider the following treatments or changes:
Dietary changes: Your diet can greatly affect how your poop smells.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 14 Apr. 2025
After even a short amount of time, a home with high humidity will begin to smell musty and grow mold.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
The color scheme, the smell of grass, the annual screening of VeggieTales: An Easter Carol, which is the same story as Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, except that it’s set at Easter and all the characters are vegetables who work in a factory (the Scrooge character is a zucchini).
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
Several residents called to report the smell to the department, Huntersville fire said in a post on X Tuesday.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell
Verb
-
The dog should be allowed to approach the child in their own time, to sniff and explore, and parents should ensure the puppy is comfortable before allowing your child to rub them.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
-
On Sunday, the Hollywood icon — who calls Ocala, Fla., home — posted an innocent photo of his dog sniffing a Lindt rabbit wrapped in gold foil.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Stack can sense that death is coming for the old man.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The study also found that movement positively impacted interoception, or the ability to sense internal states, which is foundational for emotional regulation and stress recovery.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
-
Both scents are available in body sprays and aluminum-free deodorant sticks, joining AXE’s existing lineup of fan favorites like Blue Lavender and Black Vanilla.—
Cassell Ferere,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
-
The scents are delicious without ever smelling overbearing, the burn times are on point, and the candle jars blend in as pretty decor in any room.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Jets history, going back to Rex Ryan, and way back to Joe (Willie) Namath, provides ample evidence the organization is much about media splash, not backing down, and wanting to be the center of attention despite not making the playoffs since 2010.—
Bob Raissman,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2025
-
While a wide receiver like Texas’ Matthew Golden or a running back like North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton would have certainly been splash, impact players that Dallas could have weaponized in year one under Schottenheimer, the thought process behind Booker makes sense too.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In this scenario, the most likely outcome would involve Punk pinning Seth Rollins, providing a decisive conclusion to their ongoing feud with a clear pinfall victory, while strategically preserving Roman Reigns' aura of dominance and mystique by avoiding a direct pinfall loss to Punk.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Like Napoleon’s Uncle Rico, who dwells on his long-ago high-school-football days, Garrett is living in the faded aura of past glory: in his case, a 1989 video-game championship.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The coast was intertwined with every aspect of our time on Izu Peninsula, from watching waves crash on seaside rocks and inhaling the salty sea scent to seeing shrines nestled by the water, like at Shirahama Shrine’s torii gate.—
Kristen E. Pope,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Every lap felt like a mind-numbing carousel ride through car exhaust and past bewildered pedestrians, while inhaling burrito-scented air.—
Marley Dickinson,
Outside Online,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In what felt like just a few seconds, the motion subsided, and my seat retreated back to the deck.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The side-slit hem and v-neckline add just enough interest, while the breathable knit keeps it from feeling stuffy on warmer afternoons.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share