"Smell" can mean an odour or the sense used to detect odours, so it has no single antonym. These terms describe absence of scent, removal of odour, or loss of the ability to smell. Useful choices include Odourlessness, Scentlessness, Odour-free, and Unscented.
Choosing the Best Contrast to “Smell”
Quick options:
- Odourlessness
- Scentlessness
- Odour-free
- Unscented
- Neutral scent
- No scent
- Freshness
- Deodorized
- Fragrance-free
- Loss of smell
- Anosmia
Odourlessness
Odourlessness fits when the contrast concerns absence or deliberate lack of scent. It contrasts with the relevant sense of “Smell” rather than serving as a universal opposite.
Example: The lab noted the odourlessness of the sample.
Scentlessness
Scentlessness fits when the contrast concerns absence or deliberate lack of scent. It contrasts with the relevant sense of “Smell” rather than serving as a universal opposite.
Example: The scentlessness of the material made it suitable for the display.
Odour-free
Odour-free fits when the contrast concerns absence or deliberate lack of scent. It contrasts with the relevant sense of “Smell” rather than serving as a universal opposite.
Example: The container was advertised as odour-free.
Unscented
Unscented fits when the contrast concerns absence or deliberate lack of scent. It contrasts with the relevant sense of “Smell” rather than serving as a universal opposite.
Example: She chose an unscented soap for the guest bathroom.
Neutral scent
Neutral scent fits when the contrast concerns absence or deliberate lack of scent. It contrasts with the relevant sense of “Smell” rather than serving as a universal opposite.
Example: The cleaner left a neutral scent rather than a strong perfume.
No scent
No scent fits when the contrast concerns absence or deliberate lack of scent. It contrasts with the relevant sense of “Smell” rather than serving as a universal opposite.
Example: The sample had no scent after the treatment.
Freshness
Freshness fits when the contrast concerns removal or reduction of an unwanted odour. It contrasts with the relevant sense of “Smell” rather than serving as a universal opposite.
Example: Opening the windows restored freshness to the room.
Deodorized
Deodorized fits when the contrast concerns removal or reduction of an unwanted odour. It contrasts with the relevant sense of “Smell” rather than serving as a universal opposite.
Example: The room was deodorized before the next guests arrived.
Fragrance-free
Fragrance-free fits when the contrast concerns absence or deliberate lack of scent. It contrasts with the relevant sense of “Smell” rather than serving as a universal opposite.
Example: The lotion was clearly labelled fragrance-free.
Loss of smell
Loss of smell fits when the contrast concerns reduced or absent ability to perceive smells. It contrasts with the relevant sense of “Smell” rather than serving as a universal opposite.
Example: He reported a loss of smell during the appointment.
Anosmia
Anosmia fits when the contrast concerns reduced or absent ability to perceive smells. It contrasts with the relevant sense of “Smell” rather than serving as a universal opposite.
Example: The clinician recorded anosmia as the specific symptom being assessed.
Choosing the Right Contrast to “Smell”
Use "odourless", "unscented", or "fragrance-free" for products and environments. "Anosmia" is a medical term for loss of smell and should only be used in that specific sense.