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
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Recent Examples of smells
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Food smells, trash, compost bins, and yard debris attract hungry mice when winter limits natural food sources.
—Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
And while many traditional oils come with a very potent scent, this dry scalp treatment smells softly of Indian jasmine, so there’s no fear of being roasted by others for it (a personal childhood trauma).
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
Stained clothing, furniture, and rugs, anything that smells musty or mildewy, and items stored in spaces with termite, bedbug, or mice infestations should be thrown away rather than donated.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Cook, stirring or swirling the pan frequently, until the milk solids turn a light golden brown and the butter smells nutty, about 3 minutes.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
My most recent addition is Sabrina Carpenter’s Cherry Baby Eau de Parfum, which is just $30 at Walmart and smells just as luxurious as my $300 perfumes.
—Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
Open air is what [Texas] smells like.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
Both agree that even the rain, somehow, smells different in this country.
—Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Spraying and cleaning the interior surfaces will remove stains and prevent unpleasant smells.
—Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
And don’t expect exotic smells that kick off a sneezing fit.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Are there horrible smells wafting around?
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 7 Jan. 2026
Instead of getting used to the smells, her misery intensified with each passing day.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Peppermint Oil Using essential oils to repel pests is more pleasant than having chemical smells in your home.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
This Mumi Travel Laundry Bag is made of moisture-proof and odor-resistant material that locks in funky smells, preventing the rest of your clothing from getting stinky.
—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026
If fancy smells aren’t your thing, there’s also a fragrance-free version.
—Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Monaci Delle Terre Nere is the way that the air smells like lavender, and a little like ash, from nearby Mount Etna.
—Noun
To find the source of lingering pet smells, Welch suggests investing in a quality blacklight.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for smells
Verb
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In the video, Chilli sniffs large bricks to locate the scent a trainer shared with him.—
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Tovar is the one officer who immediately sniffs out that there’s something weird about Gacy, and Luna incrementally nudges the character further and further into obsession.—
Verb
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Sandeep Vaheesan, the legal director at the Open Markets Institute, senses similar changes—but welcomes them.—
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Her character, Zosia, may have had to honor Carol Sturka’s (Rhea Seehorn) request for an atom bomb, but based on their parting glance, Wydra still senses some indecision from Carol about this manner of escalation.—
Verb
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Mostly, that’s because the song sucks.—
-
Like if the snow sucks, at least the food can be great.—
Noun
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If 2025 was all about bold gourmands and commanding florals, 2026 is a time to hone in on the scents that feel most meaningful to you and you alone.—
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Other scents were Coffee & Donuts, Chips & Salsa and Popcorn & Slushie.—
Noun
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Designed for high-performance durability, the IP65 water-resistant frames are crafted from lightweight TR90 material, ensuring a pressure-free fit that can withstand sweat and splashes.—
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Stanley 12-Ounce Stay-Hot Camp Mug A secure, press-to-fit lid ensures that this mug locks in your drink’s temperature and prevents splashes simultaneously.—
Noun
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Deep red auras glow against a glossy black backdrop.—
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Labubus allowed fashion girlies to get nostalgic with their Birkins, the trad look swept social media’s most aesthetic corners, and the TikTok generation (following its near US ban) began farming its auras.—
Verb
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No matter where his work takes him, that foundation always feels like home.—
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This combo of a fuzzy faux fur jacket and brown satin pants feels like the perfect ensemble for a winter wedding.—
Noun
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What Smells Mice Dislike Cinnamon While the smell of cinnamon is reminiscent of autumn aromas and homemade breakfasts, mice don’t feel the same way.—
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Thiols are responsible for the distinctive aromas of skunk spray and ripe durian; they’re also added to natural gas to provide a detectable rotten-egg smell at even trace levels.—
Cite this Entry
“Smells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smells. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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