odor

noun

ˈō-dər How to pronounce odor (audio)
Definition of odornext
1
as in smell
a special quality or impression associated with something the antique shop, with its collection of strange and curious items, held an odor of mysticism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in scent
the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose some people find the odor of skunk rather pleasant

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in reputation
overall quality as seen or judged by people in general her movie career has not been in good odor since her latest box office failure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun odor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of odor are aroma, scent, and smell. While all these words mean "the quality that makes a thing perceptible to the olfactory sense," odor may imply a stronger or more readily distinguished scent or it may be equivalent to smell.

a cheese with a strong odor

When might aroma be a better fit than odor?

While in some cases nearly identical to odor, aroma suggests a somewhat penetrating usually pleasant odor.

the aroma of freshly ground coffee

When would scent be a good substitute for odor?

The words scent and odor can be used in similar contexts, but scent applies to the characteristic smell given off by a substance, an animal, or a plant.

the scent of lilacs

In what contexts can smell take the place of odor?

Although the words smell and odor have much in common, 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 odor Leaves that are underwater can encourage bacteria, cloud the water, cause odors, and decrease your flower stem’s ability to take up water. — Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2026 Damp basement walls, musty odors, and water stains around basement windows are all signs that water may be entering your home’s foundation. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 3 Aug. 2026 Subsequent purchases included ammonia and odor-absorbing materials. — Barbara Vitello, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 The first explanation the researchers came up with was that the flies were climbing a rising gradient of odor toward the source. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for odor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odor
  1. smell
  2. scent
  3. reputation
  4. aura
  5. aroma
  6. repute
  7. atmosphere
  8. name
Noun
  • In an effort to stymie the foul smell, part of the facility is wrapped in plastic sheeting while large fans spray odor-control mist around the warehouse.
    — Celina Tebor, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The smell is rich, oceanic, and bursting with notes of lime and cilantro.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • While scent cannot be experienced on screen, its mood, setting and emotion can.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Chai Épicé is certainly fitting for fall with its sexy, woodsy scent.
    — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of scent
Noun
  • The Dolby Atmos Premier Mix Studio, the first of its kind in India at that level, established Annapurna’s reputation for investing beyond what the immediate market would recover.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The Boeing 767, introduced in 1982, is regarded as a reliable workhorse of the skies, in contrast to the beleaguered reputation of the Boeing 737 MAX, which lost faith with customers early, after two fatal crashes.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of reputation
Noun
  • When styled correctly, loafers are an all-day shoe that easily take you from the office to after-work drinks, while mom jeans—defined by their high-waist and relaxed fit—are appropriate for most settings while maintaining an effortless aura.
    — Michel Mejía, Glamour, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Redolent of palo santo, leather, tobacco flowers, and patchouli, its invocation of campfire and church incense will keep the aura of sacred smoke around you all day.
    — Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of aura
Noun
  • The texture is great, but the lack of flavor and aroma is unforgivable.
    — Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The whisky features aromas of vanilla, honey and citrus zest blended with fresh orchard fruits.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of aroma
Noun
  • Petviashvili’s repute has grown steadily since her early debut.
    — The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 28 July 2026
  • Maybe that’s in free agency with Cooper Rush or Joshua Dobbs — the only veterans of any sort of repute still available — or in a trade or waiver claim.
    — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 25 June 2026
Definition of repute
Noun
  • Smoke higher in the atmosphere will also start to spread farther east, especially this weekend.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • After launch, the glide vehicle separates from the rocket booster and travels through the atmosphere at speeds above Mach 5 while making course adjustments.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of atmosphere
Noun
  • But most new shows aren’t The Shards, adapted from Bret Easton Ellis’s 2023 autofiction novel of the same name.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • So the professional bodybuilder, now 39, started putting some of his savings into popular US tech stocks — names like Google, Apple and Nvidia.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of name

Browse Nearby Words

odiums
odor
odored
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Cite this Entry

“Odor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odor. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on odor

Nglish: Translation of odor for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about odor

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