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
Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024
Furthermore, most of the initiatives reek of central planning, with New Delhi micromanaging the design 0f each program.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2012
Gabe Stern, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024
At the site one morning this spring, dozens of arrivals from around the world shivered in the wind and huddled near campfires that reeked of burning plastic.
—Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for reek 
Noun
Their decision to litigate their meritless claims in the press reeks of desperation and dishonors their father’s express wishes.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2024
Furthermore, most of the initiatives reek of central planning, with New Delhi micromanaging the design 0f each program.
—Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2012
Verb
Her late husband worked in the bureau’s maintenance building across from the irrigation shop and wore a uniform that reeked of chemicals after spraying willow trees and cleaning oil wells.
—Gabe Stern, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024
At the site one morning this spring, dozens of arrivals from around the world shivered in the wind and huddled near campfires that reeked of burning plastic.
—Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for reek
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 2 Oct. 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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