smelled

variants or chiefly British smelt
past tense of smell
1
as in sniffed
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
3
as in sucked
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

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 smelled Officers patrolling on an upper level of the subway station then smelled and saw smoke, and went to investigate, according to Tisch. Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024 Officers on a routine patrol at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station smelled and saw smoke and discovered the woman on fire, standing in the middle of the subway car. Susan Haigh, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024 Washing away dirt and grime has never smelled so expensive. Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024 For me, culture is that when a comedy was on at home, our house smelled nicer. Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024 Amazon's perfume savings have truly never smelled better. Annie Blackman, Allure, 1 Dec. 2024 Everybody smelled what The Rock was cooking. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024 Not only was the pond filled with toxins and smelled of rotten eggs, but a dead deer had been found in it. William Gavin, Quartz, 25 Nov. 2024 The term is given to high-impact fragrances that are superpowerful and can be smelled halfway across the room. Sophia Panych, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smelled
Verb
  • Highlights include classes in spinning, dyeing and felting along with weaving, bobbin lace-making and basketry.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025
  • This process, known as felting, results in a denser and smaller material.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • If Rowan sucked at her job, she’d be fired.
    Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024
  • Liverpool need to play a smart game and not get sucked into a frantic contest like United did.
    Oli Gamp, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • When ingested or inhaled, these microplastics can release these chemicals into the body, potentially leading to adverse health effects.
    Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The materials weren’t handled carefully, and toxic dust and mud were tracked throughout public spaces and streets in Corby — which expecting mothers inhaled.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • While some of his countrymen saw piracy as anarchist, a strike against big business, Ek sensed a more moderate path.
    Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
  • In the meantime, Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn has also reportedly sensed an opportunity.
    AFP, Fortune Asia, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The wood, just 14 inches long, was stored in a freezer aboard the boat before being transferred to a laboratory and sawed open, researchers said.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
  • One tree was cut in the 500 block of North Broadway; three were sawed near 1550 W. 8th St.; five were downed near 350 S. Grand Ave.; three were cut near 717 W. Temple St.; and one was taken out near 300 Treadwell St., according to LAPD officials.
    Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The mic operator can be heard apologizing after bumping the president.
    Rachel Wolf, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Afterwards, a smaller 8-inch model of Herman comes out of bigger Herman’s body alive and well, having heard Keats’ speech.
    Skyler Trepel, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Smelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smelled. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

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