1
2
as in senses
to have a vague awareness of
I smell something fishy about this situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in scents
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 splashes
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 auras
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.
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Recent Examples of smells
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
3 July 2026
Freshwater showers mean the sweaty smells of young adults doing manual labor never get too intense.
—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Summer Fun Nothing smells quite as funky as a swimsuit after a beach day.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
30 June 2026
With more and more families settling in cities in the second half of the 19th century, camps gave kids a refuge from the oppressive heat, rancid smells and grinding noise of summer in the city.
—
Derek H. Alderman,
The Conversation,
26 June 2026
The Tustin Summer Academy is full of sights and sounds, and smells, that aren’t usually associated with a traditional summer camp.
—
Jeff Gritchen,
Oc Register,
25 June 2026
Hassan hesitates over an undercooked backpass, Haaland smells blood, and Iraq are toast.
—
Adam Hurrey,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
For some couples, scent serves as a stress-reducing anchor for others, a change in how a partner smells can mirror a change in how the relationship feels.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2026
Shop more of the best Prime Day deals under $25 below, including a Yankee Candle that smells just like vacation, before the savings are gone for good.
—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
1 July 2026
Pick a spot with partial shade, good drainage, wind protection and enough distance from the house to avoid smells and noise.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
Pay attention to warning lights, unusual noises, smells, leaks, or changes in how the vehicle drives.
—
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast,
Hartford Courant,
27 June 2026
For stronger smells, let the baking soda sit longer, up to overnight.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
Baking soda neutralizes odors instead of masking them, binding with the compounds that actually cause smells rather than covering them up.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2026
Baking soda earns a spot for smells and grease.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2026
Signs of a bat infestation include droppings, scratching sounds in walls, strong ammonia-like smells, and grease marks near entry points.
—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
The intermingling smells of sizzling hot dogs, urine and marijuana wafted through the open windows.
—
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
Verb
When choosing a fresh pineapple, look for one that feels heavy and smells lightly sweet near the base.
—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
3 July 2026
Freshwater showers mean the sweaty smells of young adults doing manual labor never get too intense.
—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Summer Fun Nothing smells quite as funky as a swimsuit after a beach day.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
30 June 2026
With more and more families settling in cities in the second half of the 19th century, camps gave kids a refuge from the oppressive heat, rancid smells and grinding noise of summer in the city.
—
Derek H. Alderman,
The Conversation,
26 June 2026
The Tustin Summer Academy is full of sights and sounds, and smells, that aren’t usually associated with a traditional summer camp.
—
Jeff Gritchen,
Oc Register,
25 June 2026
Hassan hesitates over an undercooked backpass, Haaland smells blood, and Iraq are toast.
—
Adam Hurrey,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
For some couples, scent serves as a stress-reducing anchor for others, a change in how a partner smells can mirror a change in how the relationship feels.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2026
Shop more of the best Prime Day deals under $25 below, including a Yankee Candle that smells just like vacation, before the savings are gone for good.
—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Noun
Meanwhile, special bags and a clamping system lock away smells that put a damper on cuddle time with your sweet new arrival.
—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
1 July 2026
Pick a spot with partial shade, good drainage, wind protection and enough distance from the house to avoid smells and noise.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
Pay attention to warning lights, unusual noises, smells, leaks, or changes in how the vehicle drives.
—
John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast,
Hartford Courant,
27 June 2026
For stronger smells, let the baking soda sit longer, up to overnight.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
Baking soda neutralizes odors instead of masking them, binding with the compounds that actually cause smells rather than covering them up.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2026
Baking soda earns a spot for smells and grease.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2026
Signs of a bat infestation include droppings, scratching sounds in walls, strong ammonia-like smells, and grease marks near entry points.
—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
The intermingling smells of sizzling hot dogs, urine and marijuana wafted through the open windows.
—
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smells
Verb
-
Luz inserts the construction pole; Susana sniffs.
-
The look of sheer repressed, stymied rage/laughter on Raph’s face when Paul sniffs the Oreos instead is one of the episode’s biggest laughs.
Verb
-
As Marielle and Fatima argue about what to do, Fatima senses Smiley approaching.
-
Human existence senses that something impedes it from subsisting.
Verb
-
Spoiled by their success A wide-open primary for governor without a debate sucks the suspense out of the room.
-
My hearing still sucks, but that’s part of life.
Noun
-
Desirable aromatherapy scents include lavender that can help decompress, marjoram that targets the nervous system and neroli for reducing stress.
-
First on the docket is Fall Traditions, the 34-piece collection featuring scents like Football Season, The Perfect Autumn, Cider Lane and more across the Bath & Body Works suite of products.
Noun
-
Many of the paintings include a portrait of a Pullman porter or a maid surrounded by splashes of color and fragments of archival documents — newspaper clippings, timesheets, employee records.
-
It’s even made from a water-resistant fabric to protect your gear from unexpected splashes or spills, keeping everything safe on the go.
Noun
-
Bubblegum pink nails with strawberry auras are fit for a day at the fair.
-
These characters have been somewhat thinly drawn despite the vibrant auras of Joy Sunday and Richard Jenkins since the beginning.
Verb
-
The chemical is particularly tough on the human respiratory system and, depending on how much a person inhales, MMA can cause everything from sore throats and cough to dizziness, nausea and, at the highest levels, damage to the nervous system, Kleinman said.
Verb
-
There’s no denying that Lola Tung has impeccable style—I’m constantly referencing her fierce street style looks—so copying her accessory of choice feels like a safe move.
-
General Daily Insight for June 27, 2026 Steady progress feels better than a sprint.
Cite this Entry
“Smells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smells. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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