AROMA Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'aroma' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of aroma are odor , scent , and smell . While all these words mean "the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense," aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor. // the aroma of freshly ground coffee

Q: How are the words 'odor' and 'smell' related as synonyms of 'aroma'?

Odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell . // a cheese with a strong odor

Q: In what contexts can 'scent' take the place of 'aroma'?

Although the words scent and aroma have much in common, scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant. // the scent of lilacs

Q: When is 'smell' a more appropriate choice than 'aroma'?

While the synonyms smell and aroma are close in meaning, smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character. // an odd smell permeated the room

aroma

noun

ə-ˈrō-mə

Definition of aroma

as in scent

a sweet or pleasant smell I love the aroma of bread baking in the oven

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in smell

the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose the ripe aroma of a sweatshirt that's in dire need of laundering

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in aura

a special quality or impression associated with something the aroma of wealth and privilege that pervades the manicured confines of the country club

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun aroma contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of aroma are odor, scent, and smell. While all these words mean "the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense," aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

How are the words odor and smell related as synonyms of aroma?

Odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

In what contexts can scent take the place of aroma?

Although the words scent and aroma have much in common, scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

When is smell a more appropriate choice than aroma?

While the synonyms smell and aroma are close in meaning, smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

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 aroma These casual spaces will draw you in with the aroma of baked cheese, usually with a barrel of buñuelos (perfectly round, crisp cheese balls) frying at the entrance. — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Candle Salt & Stone’s best-selling santal and vetiver scent brings the aroma of a crackling bonfire, minus the excessive smoke inhalation. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026 That warm, toasty scent hangs in the air at Masa y Taza, combined with the deep, smoky aromas of chorizo. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Our wine ages for a full year in French oak, where the wood’s precise porosity allows just the right exchange with oxygen — softening the wine, concentrating its aromas and flavours, building complexity no machine can replicate. — Peter Hahn, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aroma

Recent Examples of Synonyms for aroma

Noun

Tyler placed it between us with an elegant flourish; the steam carried the scent of glorious-secret spices.

— Larry Padgett, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
The second-place winner was fragrance house French Cowboy, which was founded in 2025 by Ashley Santiago and Adrien Ollat, and collaborates with different creatives on the scents.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of scent

Noun

Radon exposure can go unnoticed because the gas has no smell or color.

— Tori Mason, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
In the corner of the mall occupied by the Cinemark Rave movie theater, the smell of butter wafted into a lobby with another dry fountain.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of smell

Noun

The house offered symbolically fitting elements to the book‘s story and close proximity to the water, while also offering both a menacing and calm aura.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
This changes when moving off-center past about 30 degrees, at which point the objects show a wide aura around them.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of aura

Noun

Both are meant to be used just before serving to keep the fragrance intact.

— Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2026
Piper Sandler’s annual teen survey — polling 9,000 teens across 47 states — shows overall beauty spend swelled 7 percent this year, with growth across all key categories, including cosmetics, skin care, hair and fragrance.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of fragrance

Noun

That dustup is typically followed by a defense in Puck’s media newsletter, the reflexively anti-rank-and-file outlet where some media bosses and spokespeople go to air grievances about their unruly staff.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
There is an accumulation of dust on air vents and ceiling tiles in food preparation areas.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of air

Noun

Unlike past rallies, Edly-Allen said Indivisible Northeast Lake County emphasized the nonpartisan flavor of Saturday’s event.

— Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Food and drink True to Miami form, Royal Palm South Beach offers its own spin on Latin and Caribbean flavors, especially at The Paloma Club, an alfresco restaurant overlooking the pool.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of flavor

Browse Nearby Words

army

aroma

aromas

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Aroma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aroma. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of aroma

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on aroma

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes