reek
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.
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Disproportionate death sentences may be convincing to those who make clemency decisions, and they reek of unfairness.
From Slate ● Mar. 6, 2026
If that doesn’t reek of a corporate attempt to get people hooked, I don’t know what does.
From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2025
So the two embarked on a survey in the university hostels asking a truly human question: if our sneakers reek, doesn't that ruin the entire experience of using a shoe rack?
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2025
That tactic — special interests protecting their interests by attacking other special interests — may reek of off-the-charts cynicism.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 7, 2024
The hissing burns my ears, and the reek of roses makes the walls spin.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
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Massie condemned the ad in a social media post: “It reeks of desperation, but they’re hoping the older generation won’t realize it’s an AI generated lie.”
From Salon ● May 24, 2026
The shelter in the town hall car park has excrement smeared on the floor and reeks of urine.
From Barron's ● Mar. 14, 2026
While the bots are getting slightly better at mimicking human cadences, AI-generated writing still reeks of the sterile laboratory where it originates.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 2026
By leaving the couple of hours between posts “to me, reeks of some sort of impropriety,” Adami said.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 8, 2026
Everywhere reeks of hot metal and burning fuel.
From "Without Refuge" by Jane Mitchell
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After retreating to my car, which reeked of smoke, for a brief break the morning after the fires erupted, I got a message from my editor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2025
It was filthy, reeked of paint, and had no kitchen, mattresses, or water.
From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2024
It also reeked of “desperation,” per former federal prosecutor Harry Litman.
From Salon ● May 29, 2024
“I grew up,” said Patricia Majluf, a biologist and senior scientist at Oceana Peru, “in a city that reeked of fish meal.”
From Slate ● Feb. 4, 2024
It was crusty and reeked of salty sweat, but it still smelled better than I did.
From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson
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Snake is a wonderfully pulpy, instantly iconic creation, an outcast adventurer reeking of sweat and post-Vietnam cynicism.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2025
Spurs now enter the final few weeks of the window reeking of desperation.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2025
If you’re not keen on slathering animal fat all over your face and reeking of beef, there are a few alternatives that promise similar results and smell much better.
From Salon ● Jan. 25, 2025
Far from the handsome man she has pictured, he struts in with an “air of cheap assurance” and flashes his trinkets, reeking of cheap cologne, hair coated in bear grease.
From Slate ● May 27, 2024
Of wearing their skins and skulls and fangs; unkempt, bearded, and reeking of decay; a derelict hull.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
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Vocabulary lists containing reek
The Nose Knows: Olfactory Vocabulary
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Something Smells: From "Malodorous" to "Mephitic" to "It Reeks!"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Smell Words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!