malodors
Offensive nasal experiences
Malodors are bad smells—unpleasant odors that offend the nose.
The term appears most often in technical or commercial contexts: air freshener packaging promises to eliminate malodors, industrial hygiene standards set limits for workplace malodors.
In everyday speech, people usually just say bad smells or stink.
Decomposed and foul-smelling
- fetidHaving foul odor
- rankPosition in hierarchy
- reekEmit strong odor
- noxiousHarmful, especially when inhaled
acrid · pungent · musty · foul · miasma · stench · rancid · sour
Underground drainage pipe
- skunkSpray-armed striped mammal
- garbageDiscarded waste material
- manureAnimal waste as fertilizer
- latrineBasic outdoor toilet
sulfur · ammonia · compost · rot · mold · mildew · effluent · smog
Breakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
breakdown · anaerobic · off-gassing · spoiling · festering · rotting · moldering · curdling
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
- disgustingProvoking strong revulsion
- revoltingCausing strong disgust
- repulsiveCausing strong disgust
- sickeningCausing disgust or nausea
nauseating · vile · loathsome · repugnant · gagging · retching · unpleasant · unbearable
Circulation of fresh air
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- neutralizerAgent that cancels effects
- charcoalBurned wood residue
ozone · purifier · masking · sanitizer · fumigation · potpourri · sachet · febreze
putrid
Decomposed and foul-smelling
noxious · acrid · pungent · musty · foul · miasma · stench · rancid · sour · sulfurous
sewer
Underground drainage pipe
latrine · sulfur · ammonia · compost · rot · mold · mildew · effluent · smog · pollution
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- putrefactionBacterial breakdown of tissue
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- decayGradual organic breakdown
bacteria · breakdown · anaerobic · off-gassing · spoiling · festering · rotting · moldering · curdling
offensive
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
- disgustingProvoking strong revulsion
- revoltingCausing strong disgust
- repulsiveCausing strong disgust
sickening · nauseating · vile · loathsome · repugnant · gagging · retching · unpleasant · unbearable · intolerable
ventilation
Circulation of fresh air
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- neutralizerAgent that cancels effects
charcoal · ozone · purifier · masking · sanitizer · fumigation · potpourri · sachet · febreze