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
Fadal brought up her own phantom smells during a recent podcast conversation with Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist who’s written about and conducted research on this symptom. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026 The pungent smells of pot smoke and someone else’s urine compete with the dank smell of the canal. — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026 If everything looks and smells as expected, the tea is generally fine to steep. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026 And since management changed a decade ago, Ortega, 59, said pungent smells on days the plant operates have prevented him from going outside or opening the windows. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Instead, people may experience the memory as disconnected fragments of sensations, emotions, smells or images. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026 Silicone is also notorious for holding on to stains and smells, but that's a fundamental problem with the material, and not unique to these containers. — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026 Add the curry paste and cook, stirring actively, until the paste becomes pleasingly aromatic and no longer smells raw, 2 to 3 minutes. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 Red Bull looks and smells like the urine of someone who's dangerously dehydrated. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
The smells of jerk chicken, brats and hot dogs filled the air but the vibe of a festival quickly disappeared as attendees carried garden rakes, bleach and diapers. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Adding white vinegar and using the warmest safe water can help remove trapped smells and detergent residue. — Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 25 Aug. 2026 In addition to losing absorbency, the combination of moisture and potential organic matter can lead to bacteria and mold growth and contribute to unpleasant smells. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 2026 If desired, finish with a product like Clorox Disinfecting Mist to help eliminate any remaining bacteria and germs or lingering smells. — Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 Mayor Karen Bass had imposed a 45-day deadline for Lineage to clean everything up as neighbors complained of rotting smells, rodents and flies. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 And yet the office—its smells and politics, its grievances petty, existential, or edifying—must have made an impression. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026 Pura 4 Smart Fragrance Diffuser Not all hotel rooms are created equal, and that includes the smells that come along with them. — Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026 When the wind shifts, the smells from the warehouse waft miles away, even weeks after the fire was extinguished. — Celina Tebor, CNN Money, 8 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
  • Luz inserts the construction pole; Susana sniffs.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • The look of sheer repressed, stymied rage/laughter on Raph’s face when Paul sniffs the Oreos instead is one of the episode’s biggest laughs.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
Definition of sniffs
Verb
  • The cabin sound is enhanced using technology that senses intake pressure and creates a corresponding engine sound routed through the speakers.
    — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Yet Williams senses an opportunity to color outside the lines, to hunt a big play to one of his favorite targets.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of senses
Verb
  • Our latest reminder of just how much everything sucks right now comes from BMW (by way of @metav3rse on Instagram).
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Though wildfires are often associated with the West Coast’s dry summers, climate change is putting more and more places at risk of wildfires as increasingly hot air sucks moisture from forests.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of sucks
Noun
  • The scents are housed in bottles designed by artist Ashley Longshore that are meant to be collectible.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Future Society Cloud Reverie Eau de Parfum Cloud Reverie is for those who typically swear off vanilla in favor of floral fragrances and skin scents.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of scents
Noun
  • Built in a distinctively analog way, the rooms create the illusion of endless space through the use of light, mirrors and splashes of color.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The company has built a reputation in the investment world for backing companies that have made big splashes, including Uber, Waymo and Discord.
    — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of splashes
Noun
  • The Boston Celtics’ rivalry with the Lakers gets juice from their contrasting auras.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Connecticut reported 12 clinical cases of Candida auras infection in 2024, according to CDC data.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 10 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
  • 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
  • Wear it with leggings for a travel outfit that feels a little more elevated than wearing a sweatsuit.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of feels

Browse Nearby Words

smell (of)
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 2 Sep. 2026.

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