smelling salts

NOUN

faintness relief

Synonyms

WEAK

Methedrine ammonium carbonate hartshorn methamphetamine hydrochloride sal volatile salts spirits

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Football leans on tradition, providing convenient cover for the NFL’s lenient stance on smelling salts, ammonia crystals that players believe enhance performance when inhaled.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

These days, the Federal Aviation Administration requires that U.S. airlines carry smelling salts onboard in case a pilot needs to be awakened after fainting.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

Sometimes it’s Harris offering Scott smelling salts — a practice Dicker, who is naturally amped, skips.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2025

However, in a memo to their teams, obtained by the Associated Press,, external the NFL warned smelling salts also "have the potential to mask certain neurological signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion".

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2025

She came running with smelling salts, but she got it too close to her mistress’s nose.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes