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

Relevance
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 Any residents outside the 3-mile radius who smell an odor are instructed to stay indoors, close windows and doors and turn off ventilation that draws in outside air, the city said. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 The bodies of Machado and her daughters were discovered days later after a neighbor noticed a foul odor coming from the home. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Fabric softener can also trap odors, causing towels to smell musty even after washing. — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2026 Fish, garlic, broccoli, and steak odors can stick around for days. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 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
  • The chemical smell was hanging inside their home as her husband taped windows shut to avoid more leaking inside.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026
  • What remained was wreckage — twisted metal, pieces of the balloon — and the smell of something burned.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • Warhound wants to improve canine health and longevity alongside traits such as speed, agility, and scent detection.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Cadaver dogs also alerted to the scent of a corpse in the vehicle.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of scent
Noun
  • This is where reputation and communications become part of the business decisions.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Rather than replicating the formula of an international luxury chain, Elegance has built its reputation on intimate hotels that celebrate Vietnamese hospitality, thoughtful design, and sense of place.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of reputation
Noun
  • The joy and innocence that greeted students and teachers on their return to school in early September has been lost, replaced by a somber and quiet aura.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The opening event, which included a 3,000-drone performance, wellness events such as sound healing, journal customization, aura photography and fashion sketches, was attended by global ambassador Jisoo and models Ming Xi and Stella Maxwell.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of aura
Noun
  • Their texture and aroma stand up to the cheese, walnuts and creamy buttermilk dressing.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Their 2021 Pogetto di Sopra Alleanza is exceptionally well made with aromas of vanilla, cherry, and red plum.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of aroma
Noun
  • John Field, one of Li’s two protagonists, was in fact a classical pianist of some repute, having invented the nocturne form of composition that Chopin would make famous in Field’s lifetime.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • And the ecological values of roadless areas are beyond repute.
    — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of repute
Noun
  • An untitled 2026 work, featuring a bromeliad goddess, inhabits a different atmosphere.
    — Tatiane de Assis, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Rooms Las Alcobas offers a moody-luxe atmosphere with a touch of Mexican influence throughout its 35 surprisingly spacious suites and three penthouses, where dark rosewood and fresh, fragile orchids take center stage.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of atmosphere
Noun
  • Peanut brittle in individual packages lack the name of producer and ingredients.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The name came from the fact that the original cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg spice blend was the same as that used in pumpkin pie.
    — Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of name

Browse Nearby Words

odiums
odor
odored
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Odor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/odor. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on odor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about odor

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All