smells 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of smell
1
as in sniffs
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
as in senses
to have a vague awareness of I smell something fishy about this situation

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in sucks
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

smells

2 of 2

noun

plural of smell
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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smells
Verb
That’s reflected in the clips shown to the audience, which, unlike the previous films, really gives the sense that this place smells. — Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026 The candle smells of cereal, milk and lemon and is intended to recall the days of watching Saturday morning cartoons and summer. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026 For example, one version of the chemical carvone smells like mint, while the other has a whiff of caraway, a spice often used in rye bread. — Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026 The attorneys said detainees have complained about going three to seven hours without water, and about having access only to tap water that tastes like metal and smells like fish. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 Check kitchens, sinks, walls, and hidden spaces for droppings, gnaw marks, nest material, smells, and scratching sounds. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 8 Oct. 2026 How a room smells does as much heavy lifting as a house plant or a lacquer tray might. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026 One mirror image of the chemical carvone smells like mint, for example, while the other has a whiff of caraway, a spice often used in rye bread. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 Another new favorite is Salt & Stone’s Bergamot & Hinoki body wash, which smells amazing. — Irina Grechko, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
The breakthrough underpins modern drug development, because mirror-image versions of the same molecule can behave differently in the body — and can even produce different smells. — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 As levels drop, the body becomes less efficient at cooling itself, triggering more frequent hot flashes and sweating that mixes with skin bacteria to produce stronger or unfamiliar smells. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Multisensory journeys have been developed to immerse clients in the rituals, music and smells inspired by the lifestyles of these destinations. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026 In June, a fire east of downtown in a massive frozen-food warehouse left neighbors to endure weeks of foul smells and frustration. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 The all-in-one dock cleans the spinning dual mops with hot water, dries them with warm air to prevent musty smells, and automatically drains and refills the water tank. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 Exhaust fumes mimic the smells of decaying organic matter, tricking lovebugs looking for nesting grounds. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026 Beware of bad smells Upon entering a rental, Jones will get a good whiff of the place. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2026 The other special effects, like the spurts of air that shoot out of the headrests or the smells that waft throughout the theater, were few and far between during this screening. — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smells
  1. sniffs
  2. senses
  3. sucks
  4. scents
  5. splashes
  6. auras
  7. inhales
  8. feels
Verb
  • But Jones sniffs out the option run on fourth down and tackle Jake Shockley in the backfield.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Luz inserts the construction pole; Susana sniffs.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of sniffs
Verb
  • Pictures and video are only captured when the camera senses a vehicle going 10 miles per hour or more above the speed limit.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • One of her governesses, Leonora, usually keen to practice corporal punishment on nonconforming children, senses this spark in Adelaide and tries to snuff it out for the child’s benefit.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of senses
Verb
  • Those outside the stack struggle to attract investment and credit as the overwhelming focus on AI sucks money away from their industries.
    — RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But that doesn’t erase the fact that Gromit breaking kayfabe for his memoir sucks.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of sucks
Noun
  • First released in celebration of its 250th anniversary, Creed has since extended Aventus into a full collection, and the original is generally regarded as one of the most influential men’s scents of the century.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Leaning into a new fragrance can be a meaningful way to mark the shifting of the seasons, and Belnu's two latest launches -- Still Bloom and Vanilla Bouclé -- offer two stunning scents to try this fall.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of scents
Noun
  • The apron is built to take a beating—oils and rogue splashes barely register, practically rolling right off the surface.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Jazz fusion keyboardist George Duke, however, plays wild splashes of melody on an electric piano in the empty spaces between Waits’s lines.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of splashes
Noun
  • Auramaxxing Similar to the trend of smellmaxxing, teens are taking to TikTok to increase their auras with the new term auramaxxing.
    — Stephanie Kasulka, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Sheer, jelly polishes give the print a watercolor-like effect, while subtle auras add realistic depth.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of auras
Verb
  • The child inhales for four counts, holds for four counts, exhales for four counts and holds again for four counts.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • 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.
    — Sierra van der Brug, Oc Register, 23 May 2026
Definition of inhales
Verb
  • The music on Uncle feels innate, as if Funkhouser had dug these songs out from deep within the crawlspace in his brain.
    — Jeff Yerger, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Finish with white sneakers and a crossbody bag for an outfit that looks considered but feels as easy as pajamas.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of feels

Browse Nearby Words

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smells
smells (of)
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Cite this Entry

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

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