incense 1 of 3

noun

ˈin-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce incense (audio)
Definition of incensenext
1
as in scent
a sweet or pleasant smell the heavenly incense of spring flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in butter
excessive praise count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the head office

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incense

2 of 3

verb (1)

in-ˈsen(t)s How to pronounce incense (audio)
as in to anger
to make angry the insult so incensed him that he had to be restrained from hitting the guy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incense

3 of 3

verb (2)

ˈin-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce incense (audio)
as in to scent
to fill or infuse with a pleasant odor or odor-releasing substance the gift shop was heavily incensed with a cloying mixture of herbal essences

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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 incense
Noun
Anti Bast grounds saffron and warm cardamom (a fall spice rack classic) with incense absolute and amber, creating a warm, spicy scent ideal for cooler weather. — Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Aug. 2026 Ritual gifts include incense, flowers, perfume, cosmetics and soap, which Hor said are believed to bring beauty and charm after being blessed by the cowherd and seven maidens. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
Perez had the ball taken from him after seven innings and only 92 pitches, which incensed fans both in Miami and beyond. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026 The movie, in theaters on Friday, will probably delight most viewers — and incense a few who had hoped for a more exactingly faithful rendering. — Spencer A. Klavan, Washington Post, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for incense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incense
  1. scent
  2. praise
  3. anger
  4. perfume
  5. fragrance
  6. flattery
  7. infuriate
  8. aroma
Noun
  • They are well documented in insects and other animals, and some pheromones do not have a discernible scent, Scientific American explained.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Nobody loves bug bites, or the scent of being doused in bug spray.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of scent
Noun
  • There has been widespread praise about the upward arc of Thieneman’s growth.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit says the decision was unlawful, unsupported by facts and inconsistent with the military’s past praise of Claude.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • That angered Michigan Democrats who were frustrated with El-Sayed, and brought Jeffries and other Democrats into the fray, putting the candidate El-Sayed had invested the most in on the defensive.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The president is defending the data center boom as GOP officials across the country turn against projects that have angered voters.
    — Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • Mosses and lichens filled the hollows, while yellowish dead man’s fingers — a spooky and thus aptly named fungus — curled among low-growing rhododendrons that perfumed the air with warm, woody notes.
    — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Part of the exhibit is interactive, including a recreation of a Mexican-American family home and the garlic that would perfume the foods of a typical meal.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of perfume
Noun
  • Lavender Lavender is a popular garden perennial for its pleasantly calming fragrance and profuse purple blooms.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • This pretty fixture works hard as a table lamp, candle warmer, and decor piece, offering a smoke-free way to add ambient light and fragrance to your space without the fire hazard.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fragrance
Noun
  • Told that imitation is the highest form of flattery, Steele guffaws.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Scam Buster is a bot that will reply to scammers in your inbox, placating them with the same social engineering tactics that scammers use, such as impersonation, flattery, and urgent messaging.
    — Kim Key, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of flattery
Verb
  • The White House’s abrupt decision last week to ease tariffs on 300,000 metric tons — more than 660 million pounds — of foreign beef imports has infuriated American cattle ranchers and congressional Republicans alike.
    — Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The heated rhetoric has infuriated and astonished most Canadians; in a recent poll, seventy-six per cent supported the decision of the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, to walk away from trade talks with Washington.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of infuriate
Noun
  • The rice is stirred over medium heat for a few minutes, giving the grains time to become opaque or lightly golden and release a toasty, nutty aroma.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The specific compounds responsible for the classic smoky aroma of a campfire – phenolic compounds like guaiacol and syringol – are highly reactive.
    — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of aroma

Browse Nearby Words

incendiary
incense
incensed
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Cite this Entry

“Incense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incense. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on incense

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about incense

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