NOISOME Synonyms: 188 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'noisome' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of noisome are fetid , fusty , malodorous , musty , putrid , rank , and stinking . While all these words mean "bad-smelling," noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive. // a stagnant, noisome sewer

Q: How do 'fusty' and 'musty' relate to one another, in the sense of 'noisome'?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age. // a fusty attic // the musty odor of a damp cellar

Q: When could 'malodorous' be used to replace 'noisome'?

The words malodorous and noisome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive. // malodorous fertilizers

Q: When might 'putrid' be a better fit than 'noisome'?

While the synonyms putrid and noisome are close in meaning, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter. // the putrid smell of rotting fish

Q: When is it sensible to use 'rank' instead of 'noisome'?

While in some cases nearly identical to noisome , rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell. // rank cigar smoke

Q: How are the words 'stinking' and 'fetid' related as synonyms of 'noisome'?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting. // prisoners were held in stinking cells // the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

noisome

adjective

ˈnȯi-səm

Definition of noisome

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment a noisome remark about my weight that stuck with me for days

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stinking

having an unpleasant smell the noisome air of the area of the city that was downwind of the dog food factory

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in poisonous

bad for the well-being of the body it's no fun having asthma and living in an area with noisome smog

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word noisome distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of noisome are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, putrid, rank, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

How do fusty and musty relate to one another, in the sense of noisome?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic

the musty odor of a damp cellar

When could malodorous be used to replace noisome?

The words malodorous and noisome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

When might putrid be a better fit than noisome?

While the synonyms putrid and noisome are close in meaning, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

When is it sensible to use rank instead of noisome?

While in some cases nearly identical to noisome, rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

How are the words stinking and fetid related as synonyms of noisome?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells

the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

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 noisome Having gone in the tank for Griffin, North Carolina’s highest courts are a noisome example of why partisanship ought to have no place in judicial selection. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025 Performers like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, who long ago bartered their integrity and believability for money and ratings, can peddle their noisome pro-Trump propaganda on Fox News. — Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2022 But her water bowl is filled with a noisome black, brackish liquid — what has fouled it, and for how long, is anyone’s guess. — Gene Weingarten, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2021 And there were some years where his fame was turned infamous by serious accusations of the most noisome acts. — Ashley Cullins, Billboard, 3 May 2021 Auschwitz was his laboratory, offering limitless subjects and unbound by noisome ethical inhibitions. — David Margolick, WSJ, 24 Jan. 2020 Farmers agreed to reduce the emissions of the country’s noisome pigs. — The Economist, 9 July 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for noisome

Adjective

Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The squad has not been beefed up at all after a shameful and disgusting transfer window.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of disgusting

Adjective

For this argument Thomasine was jailed—stuffed into a damp, stinking, deadly stone cell crawling with rats and lice—to force her to change her beliefs.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
America’s political landscape has become a stinking mess.

— Mary Ellen Klas, Boston Herald, 1 June 2026

Definition of stinking

Adjective

Now, a poisonous residue on the same crowbar has left him incapacitated.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
This low-temperature, low-pressure hydrometallurgical method removes arsenic cleanly and operates without fossil fuels or poisonous gas emissions.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of poisonous

Adjective

Fortes sprinted across the plate with the winning run, then headed toward first to join his jumping teammates in foul territory.

— Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Jackson Chourio and Bauers started the bottom half with singles and first baseman Jonathan Aranda allowed Contreras’ one-out foul pop to bounce out of his mitt near netting in front of the seats.

— Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of foul

Adjective

And users can report inaccurate, toxic or harmful content by clicking the thumbs down icon shown at the bottom of the response.

— Robin Brewer, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Aside from the immediate vocal strain and airway inflammation noted by otolaryngologists, major health institutions warn that regular vaping exposes the body to a cocktail of toxic chemicals, cardiovascular strain and respiratory risks.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of toxic

Adjective

Its pristine, almost peaceful harps make the song sound somehow pleasantly sickening.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
Ole Miss scored two more touchdowns, and whatever momentum Texas had was replaced by that familiar sickening feeling.

— Mac Engel October 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of sickening

Articles Related to noisome

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“Noisome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noisome. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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