smelled

variants or chiefly British smelt
past tense of smell
1
as in sniffed
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
3
as in sucked
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

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 smelled Officers patrolling on an upper level of the subway station then smelled and saw smoke, and went to investigate, according to Tisch. Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024 Officers on a routine patrol at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station smelled and saw smoke and discovered the woman on fire, standing in the middle of the subway car. Susan Haigh, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024 Washing away dirt and grime has never smelled so expensive. Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024 For me, culture is that when a comedy was on at home, our house smelled nicer. Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024 Amazon's perfume savings have truly never smelled better. Annie Blackman, Allure, 1 Dec. 2024 Everybody smelled what The Rock was cooking. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024 Not only was the pond filled with toxins and smelled of rotten eggs, but a dead deer had been found in it. William Gavin, Quartz, 25 Nov. 2024 The term is given to high-impact fragrances that are superpowerful and can be smelled halfway across the room. Sophia Panych, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smelled
Verb
  • This process, known as felting, results in a denser and smaller material.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
  • However, the lurid thoughts communicated in Johanne’s prose are enough to send Kristin and Karin into a spiral over how Johanne could possibly have come to felt this way.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • If Rowan sucked at her job, she’d be fired.
    Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024
  • Liverpool need to play a smart game and not get sucked into a frantic contest like United did.
    Oli Gamp, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • When ingested or inhaled, these microplastics can release these chemicals into the body, potentially leading to adverse health effects.
    Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The materials weren’t handled carefully, and toxic dust and mud were tracked throughout public spaces and streets in Corby — which expecting mothers inhaled.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • While some of his countrymen saw piracy as anarchist, a strike against big business, Ek sensed a more moderate path.
    Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
  • In the meantime, Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn has also reportedly sensed an opportunity.
    AFP, Fortune Asia, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • As crews sawed the legs, the tower buckled and fell across South Osage Street, damaging power lines.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
  • In Han Kang’s latest novel, a character saws off the tips of two of her fingers in a woodworking accident.
    Victoria Kim, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Afterwards, a smaller 8-inch model of Herman comes out of bigger Herman’s body alive and well, having heard Keats’ speech.
    Skyler Trepel, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Bystanders are heard gasping and expressing shock before the video abruptly ends.
    Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Smelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smelled. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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