SMELL Synonyms: 267 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of smell are aroma , odor , and scent . While all these words mean "the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense," smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character. // an odd smell permeated the room

Q: When is it sensible to use 'aroma' instead of 'smell'?

The meanings of aroma and smell largely overlap; however, aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor. // the aroma of freshly ground coffee

Q: How are the words 'odor' and 'smell' related?

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

Q: When could 'scent' be used to replace 'smell'?

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

smell 1 of 2

verb

ˈsmel

Definition of smell

as in to sniff

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

as in to sense

to have a vague awareness of I smell something fishy about this situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to suck

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

rule
rock

smell

2 of 2

noun

as in scent

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

as in hint

a very small amount the pie has barely a smell of ginger, but lots of cinnamon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in aura

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun smell contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of smell are aroma, odor, and scent. While all these words mean "the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense," smell implies solely the sensation without suggestion of quality or character.

an odd smell permeated the room

When is it sensible to use aroma instead of smell?

The meanings of aroma and smell largely overlap; however, aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

How are the words odor and smell related?

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

a cheese with a strong odor

When could scent be used to replace smell?

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

the scent of lilacs

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 smell

Verb

By the end of the night — or beginning of the day — everyone leaves the bar smelling like cigarettes. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 Tickets are priced at tiers that smell extortionate, and are won by either facing off with bots or succumbing to the—actually extortionate—resale market. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026

Noun

While some neighbors are skeptical the smell will ever completely disappear, Shrikhande remains optimistic that a solution can be found. — Da Lin, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 And of course, any bottle that has an unpleasant smell, sour taste, or lots of floating particles or mold is spoiled and should be thrown out. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smell

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smell

Verb

In sniffing out the many, many chemical compounds that naked mole rats produce, scientists found that isopropyl myristate was common among queens and queens alone.

— Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 26 Aug. 2026
Most Niners starters won’t sniff the field against Las Vegas.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sniff

Verb

The same principle applies to optical fiber sensing, just with much greater sensitivity.

— Pawel Maniewski, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Epicore Biosystems, the Gx Sweat Patch from Gatorade, Nix Biosensors, FLOWBIO and hDrop Technologies are the most visible names in consumer sweat sensing.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of sense

Verb

In a flash, she was sucked upward, through the light and into an ethereal room without borders.

— Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Among the many potential downsides for letting the national debt get too high was that the federal government would suck up so much capital that businesses wouldn’t be left with enough.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of suck

Noun

The cuisine was also noteworthy, a generous choice of cocktails, wines, and cuisine with hints of contemporary English inspiration, while avoiding being British stodgy.

— Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Warsh is unlikely to reveal his approach before the task forces report but at Jackson Hole the whole world will be looking for hints regarding his plans to reshape the Fed.

— Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hint

Verb

Still, there’s something about going back to basics at the dawn of a new season that feels especially right.

— Laura Jackson, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
The Bengals cut the roster down to 53 players on Sunday and there weren’t many surprises in a year where continuity and depth made only a few spots truly feel open to unseating the placeholder.

— Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of feel

Browse Nearby Words

smears

smell

smelled

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Style

“Smell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smell. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of smell

verb

noun

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