reeked

Definition of reekednext
past tense of reek
as in smelled
to give off an extremely unpleasant smell those old sneakers reek something awful

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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 reeked The gangway between the tents opened up to a vast area of benches that reeked of wet dogs under the pressure of texturizing sprays, mousse, rollers, flat irons, and blow-dryers. Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 Ed’s uncle’s garage apartment reeked of must and jug wine. Nick Dothée, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026 Even the goal of bringing Saleh back this past offseason reeked of desperation. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026 The 2000s babies reeked of youth. Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025 The bathroom reeked of mold, its windowless walls preventing damp towels from ever fully drying. Jeanne Malle, Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025 What initially reeked of hometown fantasy appears to have real legs. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeked
smelled
Verb
  • Smokers who smelled a mix of cigarettes and rotting fish overnight subsequently reduced their cigarette consumption by more than thirty per cent—more than people who smelled the pairing while awake.
    Shayla Love, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
  • Matamala had smelled smoke in the air in the early evening; within five hours, flames had reached the house.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reeked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeked. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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