reeked; reeking; reeks
1
: to emit smoke or vapor
2
a
: to give off or become permeated with a strong or offensive odor
a room reeking of incense
b
: to give a strong impression of some constituent quality or feature
a neighborhood that reeks of poverty
3
: emanate
1
: to subject to the action of smoke or vapor
reeker
noun
Synonyms
Examples of reek in a Sentence
Noun
a terrible reek coming from the garbage can
couldn't see through the reek of smog and smoke surrounding the steel plant
Verb
those old sneakers reek something awful
Recent Examples on the Web
Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
In Tennessee, the passage of Senate Bill 2572 -- which would restrict local governments' power to enact police reform measures -- reeks of a familiar pattern, said Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson, whose district includes parts of Memphis.
—María Luisa Paúl The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 17 Mar. 2024
Leaking hydrogen sulfide, which reeks of rotten eggs, has turned the air toxic, making each breath burn.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2024
Anti-nationalists feel that a state like Israel, predicated on ethnicity or religious tradition, reeks of a determined rejection of modernity, even blood-and-soil fascism.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2024
This reeks of another orchestrated PR move, plain and simple.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2024
Even the charming presence of Lofty, the Oompa Loompa, depends on an element of backstory that reeks of absurdity.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023
Some, like Andy or his wife (Marling), are purposely hard to read, given that their smallest interactions reek of performativity.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Nov. 2023
Mill Pond, connected to Crow River, reeks because of oxygen depletion over the long winter.
—Katie Barsotti, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2023
Christopher Fiorello, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024
That tactic — special interests protecting their interests by attacking other special interests — may reek of off-the-charts cynicism.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
The deputy at the scene said Jones reeked of alcohol, per the report.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
The house reeked of bleach and other cleaning products, authorities said.
—Olivia Diaz, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
Powerful enough to neutralize reeking individuals as well as stinky venues with a blast of lemon-fresh scent.
—Jennie Egerdie, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
The room reeked of urine; the children were instructed to wait to go outside.
—Jennifer Medina, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Both plays reeked of desperation, nay discombobulation.
—Zion Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Jan. 2024
The Royals reeked with a 5.17 ERA that was third-from-worst in the majors last year.
6.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024
Noun
The facility still reeks of smoke, and piles of stray equipment are scattered about.
—Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
In Tennessee, the passage of Senate Bill 2572 -- which would restrict local governments' power to enact police reform measures -- reeks of a familiar pattern, said Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson, whose district includes parts of Memphis.
—María Luisa Paúl The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 17 Mar. 2024
Leaking hydrogen sulfide, which reeks of rotten eggs, has turned the air toxic, making each breath burn.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 22 Feb. 2024
Anti-nationalists feel that a state like Israel, predicated on ethnicity or religious tradition, reeks of a determined rejection of modernity, even blood-and-soil fascism.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2024
This reeks of another orchestrated PR move, plain and simple.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2024
Even the charming presence of Lofty, the Oompa Loompa, depends on an element of backstory that reeks of absurdity.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023
Some, like Andy or his wife (Marling), are purposely hard to read, given that their smallest interactions reek of performativity.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Nov. 2023
Mill Pond, connected to Crow River, reeks because of oxygen depletion over the long winter.
—Katie Barsotti, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2023
Verb
It was generally perceived as an act of intense devotion: accepting a horrible night’s sleep, on a couch that reeked of cat pee, while facing the prospect of Ram Dass dying on your watch.
—Christopher Fiorello, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024
That tactic — special interests protecting their interests by attacking other special interests — may reek of off-the-charts cynicism.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
The deputy at the scene said Jones reeked of alcohol, per the report.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
The house reeked of bleach and other cleaning products, authorities said.
—Olivia Diaz, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
Powerful enough to neutralize reeking individuals as well as stinky venues with a blast of lemon-fresh scent.
—Jennie Egerdie, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
The room reeked of urine; the children were instructed to wait to go outside.
—Jennifer Medina, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024
Both plays reeked of desperation, nay discombobulation.
—Zion Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Jan. 2024
The Royals reeked with a 5.17 ERA that was third-from-worst in the majors last year.
6.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reek.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Reek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reek. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reek
1 of 2 noun1
: vapor sense 1, fog
2
: a strong or disagreeable fume or odor
reek
2 of 2 verb1
: to give off smoke or vapor
2
a
: to have a strong or unpleasant smell
the kitchen reeks of garlic
clothes reeking of tobacco smoke
b
: to give a strong impression of some feature or quality
she reeks of snobbery
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