scent 1 of 2

noun

ˈsent How to pronounce scent (audio)
Definition of scentnext
1
as in fragrance
a sweet or pleasant smell the delightful scent of her perfume

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smell
the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose dogs are able to detect scents that are far below the threshold detectable by the human nose

Synonyms & Similar Words

scent

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to perfume
to fill or infuse with a pleasant odor or odor-releasing substance fancy bars of soap scented with lavender

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to smell
to become aware of by means of the sense organs in the nose the dog scented a rabbit and suddenly took off

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to sense
to have a vague awareness of he scented danger

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun scent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scent are fragrance, perfume, and redolence. While all these words mean "a sweet or pleasant odor," scent is very close to perfume but of wider application because more neutral in connotation.

scent-free soaps

When might fragrance be a better fit than scent?

While in some cases nearly identical to scent, fragrance suggests the odors of flowers or other growing things.

the fragrance of pine

Where would perfume be a reasonable alternative to scent?

The meanings of perfume and scent largely overlap; however, perfume may suggest a stronger or heavier odor.

the perfume of lilacs

When is it sensible to use redolence instead of scent?

In some situations, the words redolence and scent are roughly equivalent. However, redolence implies a mixture of fragrant or pungent odors.

the redolence of a forest after a rain

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 scent
Noun
Layering sound, scent and backyard landscaping The feel of the space lives in the sensory layers. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 The hay sauna was a real standout—its subtly sweet scent is both soothing and restorative, said to ease inflammation and relax muscles. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
Pair your time in the pool with relaxing massages and facials, the former with organic oils scented with herbs and flowers from the island, and the latter with products from Rowse, the natural and cruelty-free cosmetics brand. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026 All of this is served with a swirl of rice noodles and a broth scented with the earthy, slightly mushroomy aromas of river snails. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scent
  1. fragrance
  2. smell
  3. perfume
  4. sniff
  5. sense
  6. aroma
  7. feel
  8. see
Noun
  • Naugle was a customer who just came in on a busy day and started to help other people find their fragrance.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils are crafted to deliver long-lasting, natural fragrance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of fragrance
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
Verb
  • The air is perfumed with Namibian myrrh, and massages use local ingredients like Marula oil.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Each red tin is packed with layers of white and dark chocolate perfumed with peppermint oil and topped with crushed peppermint candies.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of perfume
Verb
  • While exploring the neighborhood, his dog, Betty, took off and sprinted through the open door of an empty house, sniffing around yet completely at ease.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The buck walked up to the dripper, sniffed it for a moment, and moved on.
    — Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of sniff
Verb
  • According to a one-year analysis of data collected from San Francisco’s 33 camera locations and other traffic-sensing equipment, excessive speeding — more than 10 mph above the speed limit — dropped nearly 80%.
    — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Over weeks 4–8, develop an enterprise-wide risk-sensing and recommendation model.
    — Santanu Boral, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of sense
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
Verb
  • These sounds are strange bedfellows, but the delirium rarely feels indulgent or trivial.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Kurt's key takeaways What concerns me about this particular scam is how routine the email feels.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of feel
Verb
  • The attacks, which saw 1,195 people killed and 251 taken into Gaza as hostages, triggered a major security crisis that led to three years of war on multiple fronts.
    — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The offense had a healthy-enough balance with the run game (more on that in a bit) to involve multiple pass-catchers, and the trio of leading receivers saw the immediate benefits.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of see

Browse Nearby Words

scene-stealers
scent
scented
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on scent

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scent

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 grotesque

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