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
This guy hates smells, blood and gore, so the humor and comedy is in the commitment. — Matt Minton, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 Before getting the quality right, the development hit bumps such as colors that changed and smells that remained on the bag. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026 Crowds of dedicated diners braved the 90-degree heat to line up around the ’50s-style restaurant and took in the sights, sounds and smells of Heart’s for one last time. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 The top note is violet fig, which smells similar to caramel, vanilla, syrup, and berries all-in-one. — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 9 Aug. 2026 The menu at Casa Marcial is inspired by the sensations, feelings, tastes, and smells that defined Manzano’s childhood in the Asturian hills. — Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026 This increases the pH on the skin’s surface, which shifts the composition of bacteria on the skin — which can change how your sweat smells and feels. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 3 Aug. 2026 Excess detergent and fabric softener can leave residue that traps smells. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 28 July 2026 The Great Greenland tannery in Qaqortoq, in southern Greenland, looks like a giant dry cleaner’s and smells briny like the ocean. — Ivor Prickett, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Noun
Clothes can help a dog pick up a scent and track someone down as long as they're not contaminated with other smells. — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 11 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 The flamboyant decor is not only representative of the V&A’s collections, but also eminently practical, designed to be easy to clean and resistant to fire, steam, and cooking smells. — Amy Bradford, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026 More than 100 people filled the auditorium at the air district’s headquarters in Diamond Bar to call on the hearing board to adopt these measures and help alleviate the nauseating smells. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026 In addition to the candles, the smells of foxgloves, peonies, and birch permeated the space in floral arrangements done by Philippa Craddock. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026 Start by switching to a clinical strength antiperspirant, which can help mask smells. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 3 Aug. 2026 To add to the already scrumptious array of smells, patchouli and barely-there white florals add complexity. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 July 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
  • That’s because dishwashers are equipped with something called a turbidity sensor that basically senses the murkiness of the water and adjusts the wash cycle accordingly.
    — Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps this season can serve as a bit of vindication for Marmol, who senses a shift in how his fan base perceives him.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 13 July 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
  • There are fog machines, rainstorm fans, seat shaker amplifiers, flashing strobe lights and strong scents, according to Regal’s website.
    — Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Plush robes, signature scents and bespoke bath amenities have become expected.
    — Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of scents
Noun
  • The spill-resistant keyboard is also able to shrug off any accidental spills or water splashes that come its way.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Clean both indoor and outdoor garbage cans monthly with dish soap and vinegar to remove food debris and splashes that can attract flies.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of splashes
Noun
  • Connecticut reported 12 clinical cases of Candida auras infection in 2024, according to CDC data.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Bubblegum pink nails with strawberry auras are fit for a day at the fair.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 29 June 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
  • Even a conservative turtleneck minidress feels more alluring when paired with black boots in soft leather.
    — Aemilia Madden, Glamour, 16 Aug. 2026
  • General Daily Insight for August 16, 2026 Connection feels sweeter when expectations stay realistic.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of feels

Browse Nearby Words

smell (of)
smells
smells (of)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on smells

Nglish: Translation of smells for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All