variants
or chiefly British smelt
1
2
as in sensed
to have a vague awareness of
I smell something fishy about this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smelled
The house still smelled of timber, paint, concrete dust.
—
Kate Crane, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
The flesh looked like a human brain and smelled like rotten hamburger meat wrapped in gym socks wrapped in butt.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Negotiations with the United States picked back up after the Civil War, and Seward, a proponent of American expansion, smelled a bargain.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
Inspectors found rodent feces on shelves and bottled drinks in the back area, and noted that the area smelled heavily of rodent urine, in addition to lacking hot water and floor drains.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
The floors smelled of bleach, but a ripe smell of men’s bodies filled the air.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Officers smelled alcohol on Richardson.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Last season, Greg Gard woke up, smelled the analytics, and installed a new, floor-stretching offense.
—Peter Keating, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The officer smelled booze on his breath, according to a police report.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Kate Crane, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
The flesh looked like a human brain and smelled like rotten hamburger meat wrapped in gym socks wrapped in butt.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
Negotiations with the United States picked back up after the Civil War, and Seward, a proponent of American expansion, smelled a bargain.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
Inspectors found rodent feces on shelves and bottled drinks in the back area, and noted that the area smelled heavily of rodent urine, in addition to lacking hot water and floor drains.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2026
The floors smelled of bleach, but a ripe smell of men’s bodies filled the air.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Officers smelled alcohol on Richardson.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Last season, Greg Gard woke up, smelled the analytics, and installed a new, floor-stretching offense.
—Peter Keating, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
The officer smelled booze on his breath, according to a police report.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smelled
Verb
-
But after just one shot at hosting it in 2011, the Cowboys haven’t sniffed another crack at the big game.—
Nick Harris
April 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Not only were the Titans picked to finish last, but not one CSUF player sniffed an all-conference mention.—
Brian Robin,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For anyone who has ever looked into their dog’s eyes and sensed a deeper understanding staring back, Chaser’s story is powerful validation.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Two other figures in Jordan’s life had long sensed the extent of his talent.—
Blanche Marcel,
Vanity Fair,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These young men were sucked into the manosphere.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Chaplin’s famous scene in Modern Times was a bit grislier, ending with him getting sucked into the conveyor belt itself.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Several fungal species are most often carried by dust and other soil disturbances, posing health risks when inhaled.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
-
When spores are inhaled, symptoms include fever, nausea and chest pain.—
Hannah Kinzer,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those who felt the earthquake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
That just felt so, almost traumatizing to even imagine.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Moving a blade back and forth to try to saw biscuits apart will make their layers stick (and ruin the rise).—
Ella Quittner,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Ruggeri says that, in comparison to saw palmetto, which gets far more attention.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Guests include those already loyal to the Six Senses brand and Missoni clad fashionistas who have heard about the hideaway’s sizable wellness offerings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Alleged damages must be in excess of $5 million to be heard in Texas Business Court, but plaintiffs state the full amount they are owed will be determined at trial.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those who noticed the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
An intimate concert by Sir Paul McCartney in Los Angeles has captured fans’ attention after an online post highlighted just how many high-profile celebrities were packed into the same room—and what some fans noticed beyond the music itself.—
Claire Dodds,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smelled. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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