Similes are fun figures of speech that compare two different things using the words like or as. People use them to make their writing and speaking more descriptive by connecting a scent or feeling to something familiar. Today, you will learn many helpful similes related to bad smells.
In this lesson, we’ll look at similes that mean experiencing a terrible odor, stinky garbage, or foul air. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Similes for Bad Smells
1. As foul as a garbage dump
Meaning: Having an overwhelmingly strong and disgusting odor of rotting waste.
For Example: Opening the old outdoor trash bin felt as foul as a garbage dump. / The alley behind the restaurant smelled as foul as a garbage dump on a hot afternoon.
Other Ways to Say: Stinky garbage / Horrible smell
2. Like a rotting pair of gym shoes
Meaning: A sweaty, sour stench that comes from old sports gear left alone.
For Example: Leaving my wet cleats in the locker made them smell like a rotting pair of gym shoes. / The corner of the mudroom smelled like a rotting pair of gym shoes.
Other Ways to Say: Sweaty stench / Sour odor
3. As stinky as a wet dog
Meaning: A strong, earthy smell that comes from an animal soaked in rainwater.
For Example: After jumping in the muddy puddle, the puppy was as stinky as a wet dog. / The hallway smelled as stinky as a wet dog when we brought him inside.
Other Ways to Say: Doggy odor / Muddy scent
4. Like a swamp in summer
Meaning: A heavy, damp smell of decaying plants and muddy stagnant water.
For Example: Walking past the pond after a rainstorm smelled like a swamp in summer. / The old basement corner smelled like a swamp in summer.
Other Ways to Say: Moldy dampness / Swampy smell
5. As rank as old cheese
Meaning: A sharp, spoiled smell that has gone sour and unpleasant.
For Example: Finding the forgotten lunchbox in the locker revealed a smell as rank as old cheese. / The container in the back of the fridge was as rank as old cheese.
Other Ways to Say: Spoiled scent / Sharp rot
6. Like a sewer pipe leaking
Meaning: A gross, gas-like stench that makes everyone hold their noses.
For Example: The street drain after the storm smelled like a sewer pipe leaking. / Opening the old utility hatch felt like a sewer pipe leaking.
Other Ways to Say: Gas stench / Pipe smell
7. As offensive as rotten eggs
Meaning: A sharp, sulfurous odor that smells like spoiled food.
For Example: The science experiment gone wrong smelled as offensive as rotten eggs. / The chemical leak in the lab smelled as offensive as rotten eggs.
Other Ways to Say: Sulfur stench / Bad egg
8. Like a dead fish on the beach
Meaning: A strong, fishy stench of decaying sea life left in the sun.
For Example: Walking near the shore at low tide smelled like a dead fish on the beach. / The old tackle box left in the sun smelled like a dead fish on the beach.
Other Ways to Say: Fishy rot / Sea stench
9. As putrid as spoiled milk
Meaning: A sour, curdled scent that turns your stomach instantly.
For Example: Leaving the carton out on the counter made it as putrid as spoiled milk. / The spilled smoothie in the backpack smelled as putrid as spoiled milk.
Other Ways to Say: Curdled sour / Bad dairy
10. Like an unwashed cage
Meaning: A pungent, stuffy odor of animal waste and dirty bedding.
For Example: Cleaning out the hamster habitat smelled like an unwashed cage. / The corner of the animal shelter smelled like an unwashed cage.
Other Ways to Say: Pungent waste / Dirty pen
11. As sickening as a skunk spray
Meaning: A powerful, oily musk that lingers in the air for hours.
For Example: Our dog got too close to the woods and smelled as sickening as a skunk spray. / The highway air carried a scent as sickening as a skunk spray.
Other Ways to Say: Strong musk / Skunk odor
12. Like burning hair
Meaning: A sharp, charred, and chemical-heavy stench that is hard to breathe.
For Example: The old toaster shorting out smelled like burning hair in the kitchen. / The chemistry project accident smelled like burning hair.
Other Ways to Say: Scorched stench / Charred scent
13. As foul as stagnant pond water
Meaning: A thick, green smell of standing water with no fresh air movement.
For Example: The old birdbath in the yard smelled as foul as stagnant pond water. / The ditch behind the school field smelled as foul as stagnant pond water.
Other Ways to Say: Standing rot / Water decay
14. Like a muddy pigpen
Meaning: A heavy, earthy farmyard stench of mud and animal waste.
For Example: Walking near the farm tractor tires smelled like a muddy pigpen. / The petting zoo area after the rain smelled like a muddy pigpen.
Other Ways to Say: Farmyard smell / Mud stench
15. As sour as vinegar left in the sun
Meaning: An intensely sharp and acidic odor that makes your eyes water.
For Example: The forgotten juice bottle in the car smelled as sour as vinegar left in the sun. / Opening the old jar was as sour as vinegar left in the sun.
Other Ways to Say: Acidic odor / Sharp sour
16. Like a moldy basement corner
Meaning: A damp, earthy smell of old walls and wet cardboard boxes.
For Example: Storing the books in the damp closet made them smell like a moldy basement corner. / The school storage room smelled like a moldy basement corner.
Other Ways to Say: Mildew scent / Damp rot
17. As pungent as old garlic
Meaning: A sharp, biting odor that stings your nose when you breathe it.
For Example: The forgotten spice jar in the pantry was as pungent as old garlic. / The leftover food container smelled as pungent as old garlic.
Other Ways to Say: Sharp spice / Biting scent
18. Like a rotting log in the woods
Meaning: A deep, damp smell of decaying wood and forest fungus.
For Example: Digging deep into the wet soil revealed a scent like a rotting log in the woods. / The old wooden fence post smelled like a rotting log in the woods.
Other Ways to Say: Wood decay / Forest rot
19. As stinky as an old gym locker
Meaning: A stuffy combination of sweat, old clothes, and stale air.
For Example: Opening the team equipment box felt as stinky as an old gym locker. / The back of the sports van smelled as stinky as an old gym locker.
Other Ways to Say: Locker stench / Stale sweat
20. Like a chemical spill
Meaning: A sharp, artificial, and nose-wrinkling odor of harsh cleaners.
For Example: The janitor closet after heavy cleaning smelled like a chemical spill. / The broken bottle of cleaner smelled like a chemical spill.
Other Ways to Say: Harsh cleaner / Artificial sting
21. As foul as a dumpster in July
Meaning: A baking pile of trash that creates a terrible heat-driven stench.
For Example: Walking past the cafeteria back door smelled as foul as a dumpster in July. / The alley trash cans smelled as foul as a dumpster in July.
Other Ways to Say: Baking trash / Hot garbage
22. Like a wet carpet after a flood
Meaning: A heavy, sour smell of damp padding and trapped water.
For Example: The school hallway after the pipe burst smelled like a wet carpet after a flood. / The basement floor smelled like a wet carpet after a flood.
Other Ways to Say: Damp padding / Water smell
23. As rank as decaying leaves
Meaning: A thick, earthy smell of autumn leaves turning to mush in the rain.
For Example: Raking the wet pile behind the shed smelled as rank as decaying leaves. / The packed compost bin smelled as rank as decaying leaves.
Other Ways to Say: Leaf rot / Compost scent
24. Like a gas leak in the kitchen
Meaning: A sharp, sulfurous warning scent that smells intensely artificial.
For Example: Checking the stove burner when something felt off smelled like a gas leak in the kitchen. / The utility box outside smelled like a gas leak in the kitchen.
Other Ways to Say: Gas odor / Sulfur warning
25. As sickening as sour cream left out
Meaning: A curdled, heavy dairy odor that turns your stomach completely.
For Example: Cleaning out the picnic cooler felt as sickening as sour cream left out. / The lunchbox container smelled as sickening as sour cream left out.
Other Ways to Say: Curdled dairy / Spoiled cream
26. Like a burning plastic toy
Meaning: A harsh, acrid, and unpleasant smell of melting synthetic material.
For Example: The toy left too close to the heater smelled like a burning plastic toy. / The melting crayon on the hot bulb smelled like a burning plastic toy.
Other Ways to Say: Melted plastic / Acrid scent
27. As pungent as raw onions
Meaning: A tearing, sharp smell that makes your eyes sting instantly.
For Example: Cutting into the old vegetable in the bin was as pungent as raw onions. / The kitchen counter smelled as pungent as raw onions.
Other Ways to Say: Sharp onion / Sting scent
28. Like a neglected bird cage
Meaning: A sharp, ammonia-heavy smell of pet waste and dusty feathers.
For Example: Entering the pet store room felt like walking into a neglected bird cage. / Cleaning the classroom pet area smelled like a neglected bird cage.
Other Ways to Say: Pet waste / Ammonia scent
29. As foul as a blocked drain
Meaning: A thick, backed-up sludge odor that rises from sink pipes.
For Example: Turning on the old sink faucet smelled as foul as a blocked drain. / The school kitchen floor drain smelled as foul as a blocked drain.
Other Ways to Say: Pipe sludge / Drain stink
30. Like a soggy cardboard box
Meaning: A damp, musty smell of wet paper and stale moisture.
For Example: Unpacking the old storage boxes from the shed smelled like a soggy cardboard box. / The recycling bin after the rain smelled like a soggy cardboard box.
Other Ways to Say: Musty paper / Wet cardboard
31. As stinky as a swamp gas bubble
Meaning: A sudden burst of sulfur and marsh decay hitting the air.
For Example: Stepping into the muddy creek bank released a scent as stinky as a swamp gas bubble. / The marsh trail smelled as stinky as a swamp gas bubble.
Other Ways to Say: Marsh gas / Swamp stink
32. Like a dead mouse in the wall
Meaning: A persistent, sweetish decay odor that lingers in a closed space.
For Example: The mysterious smell behind the classroom bookshelf smelled like a dead mouse in the wall. / The attic corner smelled like a dead mouse in the wall.
Other Ways to Say: Hidden decay / Sweet rot
33. As rank as old fish oil
Meaning: A heavy, oily, and fishy stench that sticks to your hands.
For Example: The old tackle box drawer smelled as rank as old fish oil. / Opening the bait container smelled as rank as old fish oil.
Other Ways to Say: Oily fish / Bait stink
34. Like a mildewed shower curtain
Meaning: A damp, black-spot mold odor from a bathroom left wet.
For Example: Stepping into the old camp locker room smelled like a mildewed shower curtain. / The corner of the gym bathroom smelled like a mildewed shower curtain.
Other Ways to Say: Moldy plastic / Mildew smell
35. As offensive as unwashed laundry
Meaning: A heavy mix of body sweat and damp clothes left in a pile.
For Example: My brother’s bedroom floor smelled as offensive as unwashed laundry. / The hamper after soccer camp smelled as offensive as unwashed laundry.
Other Ways to Say: Sweat pile / Dirty clothes
36. Like a burning rubber tire
Meaning: A thick, black-smoke stench that fills the air with harsh chemicals.
For Example: The go-kart track tire barrier smelled like a burning rubber tire after the crash. / The asphalt scraper smelled like a burning rubber tire.
Other Ways to Say: Rubber smoke / Acrid tire
37. As putrid as meat left in the sun
Meaning: An intensely sickening smell of animal protein breaking down.
For Example: The dropped sandwich in the hot grass smelled as putrid as meat left in the sun. / The campsite trash bag smelled as putrid as meat left in the sun.
Other Ways to Say: Rotten meat / Protein rot
38. Like a stagnant puddle of mud
Meaning: A heavy, earthy scent of standing dirt water and bacteria.
For Example: Playing soccer after the storm smelled like a stagnant puddle of mud. / The construction site ditch smelled like a stagnant puddle of mud.
Other Ways to Say: Mud scent / Bacterial rot
39. As pungent as stale tobacco
Meaning: A dry, heavy, and stale smoke odor that clings to fabric.
For Example: The old thrift store coat smelled as pungent as stale tobacco. / Sitting near the old garage felt as pungent as stale tobacco.
Other Ways to Say: Stale smoke / Old tobacco
40. Like an old leather boot soaked in mud
Meaning: A heavy mix of stale sweat, wet leather, and farm soil.
For Example: Unpacking the camping gear smelled like an old leather boot soaked in mud. / The back porch floor smelled like an old leather boot soaked in mud.
Other Ways to Say: Wet leather / Mud boot
41. As foul as a rotting pumpkin
Meaning: A squishy, fermented vegetable odor left out after autumn.
For Example: Clearing out the porch decorations in November smelled as foul as a rotting pumpkin. / The garden bed smelled as foul as a rotting pumpkin.
Other Ways to Say: Squishy rot / Fermented gourd
42. Like a wet dog drying by a heater
Meaning: An intense, steaming wave of wet animal fur filling the room.
For Example: Bringing the puppy inside after the rain smelled like a wet dog drying by a heater. / The mudroom entryway smelled like a wet dog drying by a heater.
Other Ways to Say: Steaming fur / Wet hound
43. As stinky as a compost bin in August
Meaning: A baking heat wave of food scraps and garden waste breaking down.
For Example: Opening the backyard bin was as stinky as a compost bin in August. / The school garden area smelled as stinky as a compost bin in August.
Other Ways to Say: Hot compost / Waste heat
44. Like a sour dishcloth left wet
Meaning: A mildewed, fermented rag smell that makes you wrinkle your nose.
For Example: Cleaning the kitchen counter with the forgotten rag smelled like a sour dishcloth left wet. / The sink sponge smelled like a sour dishcloth left wet.
Other Ways to Say: Mildew sponge / Sour rag
45. As rank as spoiled broth
Meaning: A warm, cloudy, and fermented liquid food odor.
For Example: The pot left on the stove overnight smelled as rank as spoiled broth. / The soup container smelled as rank as spoiled broth.
Other Ways to Say: Liquid rot / Spoiled soup
46. Like an uncleaned chicken coop
Meaning: A powerful, dusty ammonia odor of farm bird waste.
For Example: Walking near the back farm exhibit smelled like an uncleaned chicken coop. / The science fair animal pen smelled like an uncleaned chicken coop.
Other Ways to Say: Bird waste / Farm coop
47. As offensive as bad breath in the morning
Meaning: A stale, dry, and sulfurous mouth odor upon waking up.
For Example: Yawning right in my face felt as offensive as bad breath in the morning. / The small tent in the morning smelled as offensive as bad breath in the morning.
Other Ways to Say: Stale breath / Morning odor
48. Like a rotting potato in the pantry bin
Meaning: A sickening, sweetish, and sharp liquid decay odor.
For Example: Cleaning out the vegetable basket revealed a scent like a rotting potato in the pantry bin. / The dark cabinet corner smelled like a rotting potato in the pantry bin.
Other Ways to Say: Potato rot / Sweet decay
49. As putrid as stagnant ditch water
Meaning: A dark, oily, and bacteria-heavy ditch scent.
For Example: Retrieving the soccer ball from the roadside ditch smelled as putrid as stagnant ditch water. / The creek bed smelled as putrid as stagnant ditch water.
Other Ways to Say: Ditch rot / Black water
50. Like a mildewed tent after a camping trip
Meaning: A damp, closed-fabric smell of wet canvas and trapped dew.
For Example: Unrolling the damp sleeping gear smelled like a mildewed tent after a camping trip. / The garage storage corner smelled like a mildewed tent after a camping trip.
Other Ways to Say: Musty canvas / Wet tent
51. As pungent as chemical fertilizer
Meaning: A sharp, intense, and artificial chemical stench used on lawns.
For Example: Walking across the newly treated school lawn smelled as pungent as chemical fertilizer. / The garage shelf smelled as pungent as chemical fertilizer.
Other Ways to Say: Lawn chemical / Sharp fertilizer
52. Like a moldy piece of fruit
Meaning: A fuzzy, fermented, and sour sweet-rot scent.
For Example: Finding the bruised orange in the bottom of the bag smelled like a moldy piece of fruit. / The school desk drawer smelled like a moldy piece of fruit.
Other Ways to Say: Fruit rot / Fuzzy mold
53. As foul as a blocked grease trap
Meaning: A thick, rancid oil and food waste odor.
For Example: Walking behind the cafeteria kitchen exhaust smelled as foul as a blocked grease trap. / The restaurant back door smelled as foul as a blocked grease trap.
Other Ways to Say: Rancid oil / Grease stink
54. Like a wet wool blanket left in a bag
Meaning: A heavy, steamy, and barnyard-like wet sheep odor.
For Example: Opening the sports equipment bag smelled like a wet wool blanket left in a bag. / The damp storage box smelled like a wet wool blanket left in a bag.
Other Ways to Say: Wet wool / Damp fleece
55. As stinky as old pond muck
Meaning: A thick, sulfurous bottom-of-the-lake mud odor.
For Example: Walking out of the lake barefoot smelled as stinky as old pond muck. / The dock area smelled as stinky as old pond muck.
Other Ways to Say: Lake mud / Bottom muck
56. Like a burnt sugar mess
Meaning: A sharp, acrid, and bitter sweet-char stench.
For Example: The cafeteria pan left on the burner too long smelled like a burnt sugar mess. / The baking project accident smelled like a burnt sugar mess.
Other Ways to Say: Charred sweet / Bitter sugar
57. As rank as old fish scales
Meaning: A fishy, drying residue odor left on a wooden dock.
For Example: The cleaning table at the lake shore smelled as rank as old fish scales. / The bucket smelled as rank as old fish scales.
Other Ways to Say: Fish residue / Scale stink
58. Like an unwashed horse blanket
Meaning: A heavy mix of animal sweat, dust, and stable straw.
For Example: Visiting the riding stables smelled like an unwashed horse blanket. / The tack room corner smelled like an unwashed horse blanket.
Other Ways to Say: Stable sweat / Horse odor
59. As offensive as a septic tank leak
Meaning: A powerful, gaseous waste odor that ruins the outdoor air.
For Example: Walking near the park utility station smelled as offensive as a septic tank leak. / The backyard corner smelled as offensive as a septic tank leak.
Other Ways to Say: Waste leak / Septic stench
60. Like a decaying pile of grass clippings
Meaning: A hot, steaming, and fermented green grass odor.
For Example: Raking the yard bag left in the sun smelled like a decaying pile of grass clippings. / The lawnmower bag smelled like a decaying pile of grass clippings.
Other Ways to Say: Grass rot / Fermented lawn
Exercise to Practice
- Opening the old outdoor trash bin felt ________.
- Leaving my wet cleats in the locker made them smell ________.
- After jumping in the muddy puddle, the puppy was ________.
- Walking past the pond after a rainstorm smelled ________.
- Finding the forgotten lunchbox in the locker revealed a smell ________.
- The street drain after the storm smelled ________.
- The science experiment gone wrong smelled ________.
- Walking near the shore at low tide smelled ________.
- Leaving the carton out on the counter made it ________.
- Cleaning out the hamster habitat smelled ________.
- Our dog got too close to the woods and smelled ________.
- The old toaster shorting out smelled ________.
- The old birdbath in the yard smelled ________.
- Walking near the farm tractor tires smelled ________.
- The forgotten juice bottle in the car smelled ________.
Answer Key
- as foul as a garbage dump
- like a rotting pair of gym shoes
- as stinky as a wet dog
- like a swamp in summer
- as rank as old cheese
- like a sewer pipe leaking
- as offensive as rotten eggs
- like a dead fish on the beach
- as putrid as spoiled milk
- like an unwashed cage
- as sickening as a skunk spray
- like burning hair
- as foul as stagnant pond water
- like a muddy pigpen
- as sour as vinegar left in the sun
Conclusion
Learning similes is a great way to make your writing and speaking much more colorful and descriptive. Instead of just saying something smells bad, you can use fun comparisons to help others picture how strong the odor is.
Try using a few of these creative similes when you describe stinky things with your friends and family today. You will see how much more engaging it is to talk about bad smells using vivid language.
