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malodorous

adjective
mal·​odor·​ous | \ ˌmal-ˈō-də-rəs How to pronounce malodorous (audio) \

Definition of malodorous

1 : having a bad odor a malodorous mixture of chemicals
2 : highly improper malodorous practices and chicanery in high financial places — New Republic
Other Words from malodorous Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about malodorous

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Other Words from malodorous

malodorously adverb
malodorousness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for malodorous

Synonyms

fetid, foul, frowsty [chiefly British], frowsy (or frowzy), funky, fusty, musty, noisome, rank, reeking, reeky, ripe, smelly, stenchy, stinking, stinky, strong

Antonyms

ambrosial, aromatic, fragrant, perfumed, redolent, savory (also savoury), scented, sweet

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Choose the Right Synonym for malodorous

malodorous, stinking, fetid, noisome, putrid, rank, fusty, musty mean bad-smelling. malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive. malodorous fertilizers stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting. prisoners were held in stinking cells the fetid odor of skunk cabbage noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive. a stagnant, noisome sewer putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter. the putrid smell of rotting fish rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell. rank cigar smoke 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

Examples of malodorous in a Sentence

the cellar will need to be cleared of several malodorous, maggot-infested piles of garbage

Recent Examples on the Web

 This was a threat of the ugliest variety, and one with a malodorous history. — David Remnick, The New Yorker, "A Racist in the White House," 16 July 2019 In 1978, Melissa Ludtke, of Sports Illustrated, brought a lawsuit against the M.L.B., which was resisting her right to report the baseball beat with equal access to locker rooms, clubhouses, and other malodorous sacred places. — David Remnick, The New Yorker, "In Praise of Doris Burke, Basketball’s Best TV Analyst," 13 June 2019 Late last July, tens of thousands of the very oily fish washed up dead near the casino’s Mystic River entrance in a giant malodorous mass. — Joshua Miller, BostonGlobe.com, "Slots. Poker tables. Fine dining. Luxury hotel. Dead fish?," 6 June 2019 And many, despite their malodorous reputation, have delightfully fragrant little flowers. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Hardy Boxwood Hedges That Resist Blight," 25 July 2018 And many, despite their malodorous reputation, have delightfully fragrant little flowers. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Hardy Boxwood Hedges That Resist Blight," 25 July 2018 And many, despite their malodorous reputation, have delightfully fragrant little flowers. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Hardy Boxwood Hedges That Resist Blight," 25 July 2018 And many, despite their malodorous reputation, have delightfully fragrant little flowers. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Hardy Boxwood Hedges That Resist Blight," 25 July 2018 And many, despite their malodorous reputation, have delightfully fragrant little flowers. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Hardy Boxwood Hedges That Resist Blight," 25 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'malodorous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of malodorous

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for malodorous

malodorous

adjective
How to pronounce malodorous (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of malodorous

formal : having a bad smell

See the full definition for malodorous in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on malodorous

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for malodorous

Spanish Central: Translation of malodorous

Nglish: Translation of malodorous for Spanish Speakers

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