odor

noun

ˈō-dər How to pronounce odor (audio)
Definition of odornext
1
as in aura
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 The nose can detect one trillion odors with over 400 types of receptors, and these cells renew themselves every 30 to 60 days. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025 Gas explosion detail Angry neighbors question why no one called for homes in the area to be evacuated after numerous reports of gas odors. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025 The Tijuana River has been plagued with raw sewage and industrial waste from Tijuana for decades, fouling beaches along the U.S.-Mexico border with polluted water and sending foul odors drifting through communities in San Diego County. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025 In Childs Park, a neighborhood in South St. Petersburg, residents have complained for decades about a mysterious odor that comes and goes. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for odor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for odor
  1. aura
  2. scent
  3. reputation
  4. smell
  5. aroma
  6. repute
  7. atmosphere
  8. name
Noun
  • In videos and photos on social media, Leake, now in his early fifties, had the aura of an elder-statesman goth punk.
    — David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The overwhelming majority of those games have not carried the aura of a special occasion in the way UEFA Champions League or Copa Libertadores fixtures can in Europe and South America.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of aura
Noun
  • Both scents are available in body sprays and aluminum-free deodorant sticks, joining AXE’s existing lineup of fan favorites like Blue Lavender and Black Vanilla.
    — Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The scents are delicious without ever smelling overbearing, the burn times are on point, and the candle jars blend in as pretty decor in any room.
    — Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of scent
Noun
  • One regulatory crisis cost it tens of billions and its reputation.
    — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Since the premiere of the movie in August, Lively has also accused Baldoni of participating in a deliberate smear campaign to ruin her reputation.
    — Janelle Ash , Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of reputation
Noun
  • British animal charity International Cat Care explains that the best way to introduce felines is following a five step method which starts with scent swapping, allowing each cat to familiarize with the other feline's smell before a face to face meeting.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The roar of generators and smell of fumes filled the air as a growing number of Puerto Ricans renewed calls for the government to cancel the contracts with Luma Energy, which oversees the transmission and distribution of power, and Genera PR, which oversees generation.
    — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of smell
Noun
  • While many versions of the aroma exist, feeding the line with new facets helps Mugler continue to tell the story.
    — Essence, Essence, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Chilean coastal Pinot Noir showcases vibrant colors—slightly more intense than cool-climate counterparts elsewhere due to the intense afternoon sunlight—with characteristic sweet and sour cherry aromas complemented by wet earth notes and silky textures.
    — Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of aroma
Noun
  • The most stinging repute came from China, which accused the U.S. of abandoning Haiti at a dire moment after helping set up its ruling transitional presidential council, now mired in controversy and credibility issues.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The rabbis, both of high repute, belong to different generations and display differing levels of stringency—the stricter is a grandfather; the other, his son-in-law, is more lenient but by no means lax.
    — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of repute
Noun
  • More than 2,300 rocket bodies orbiting the Earth can't be controlled and will eventually reenter the atmosphere, according to Nature.com.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • And the present environment, with harsh temperatures, intense radiation, and a sparse atmosphere, isn’t exactly propitious for life.
    — Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of atmosphere
Noun
  • The names: Off-Roadeo Arches and Off-Roadeo Cliffhanger are meant to celebrate the Moab area and Bronco Off-Roadeo Moab.
    — Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Directed by Mike Flanagan, the film is based on Stephen King’s 2020 novella of the same name about an ordinary accountant who becomes an odd kind of celebrity amid the end of the world.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of name

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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 4 May. 2025.

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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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