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
Jessica Leigh Hester, The Atlantic, 31 July 2024
The Rock nabs the win here after a back-and-forth battle that reeks of both men trying to prove their ultimate relevance in the WWE and the 30-minute match length goes by far more smoothly than in many similar cases.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2024
Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
Many comments reeked of antisemitism, repeatedly pointing out that Black is Jewish, and most of the responses also seemed surprised by the band's political affiliations, despite the fact that Black has been a vocal supporter of Democratic politicians for much of his career.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 15 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for reek 
Noun
Athletes cannot jump into waters that reek of phenol or that are slicked with oil, thick with birds or algal blooms, ribboned with sewage, or studded with garbage.
—Jessica Leigh Hester, The Atlantic, 31 July 2024
The Rock nabs the win here after a back-and-forth battle that reeks of both men trying to prove their ultimate relevance in the WWE and the 30-minute match length goes by far more smoothly than in many similar cases.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2024
Verb
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
Many comments reeked of antisemitism, repeatedly pointing out that Black is Jewish, and most of the responses also seemed surprised by the band's political affiliations, despite the fact that Black has been a vocal supporter of Democratic politicians for much of his career.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 15 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 19 Aug. 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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