incense 1 of 3

noun

ˈin-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce incense (audio)
Definition of incensenext
1
as in scent
a sweet or pleasant smell the heavenly incense of spring flowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in butter
excessive praise count on the office manager to spread the incense whenever there's a visiting VIP from the head office

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incense

2 of 3

verb (1)

in-ˈsen(t)s How to pronounce incense (audio)
as in to anger
to make angry the insult so incensed him that he had to be restrained from hitting the guy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

incense

3 of 3

verb (2)

ˈin-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce incense (audio)
as in to scent
to fill or infuse with a pleasant odor or odor-releasing substance the gift shop was heavily incensed with a cloying mixture of herbal essences

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of incense
Noun
The afternoon sunlight streams through a large picture window, and the smell of incense hangs subtly in the air. — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 The fragrance features top notes of bergamot, basil and saffron, with mid notes of wild fig, agarwood, pinot noir accord and base notes of incense, papyrus and black amber. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
The duo's defiance paved the way for a resolution to condemn socialism, a key election-year messaging bill for the GOP that drew glaring defections among Democrats, many of whom were incensed at the turn of events. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 The smokejumpers ultimately kept their jobs, but the episode incensed the Alaska crew. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incense
  1. scent
  2. praise
  3. anger
  4. perfume
  5. fragrance
  6. flattery
  7. infuriate
  8. aroma
Noun
  • These aren’t leather scents (new cars, edgy jackets, saddles), which have been done since 1781, when The House of Creed first made Royal English Leather for King George III.
    — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • With consistent use, our top picks also helped improve the appearance of discoloration, bumps, and uneven tone, while offering a pleasant scent and comfortable wear.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of scent
Noun
  • Sony revived Resident Evil last month and HBO drew big viewership and critical praise with The Last of Us, just to name a couple of recent success stories.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Posters of Kate Moss photographed by Juergen Teller have been plastered over the city and praise for the exhibition has been handed largely to Enninful.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • The widespread use of arrests, tear gas and riot-control weapons against teenagers is fueling defiance and angering some parents and teachers.
    — NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Lai and his Democratic Progressive Party champion Taiwan’s separate identity from China, a position that frequently angers Beijing, which views the island as Chinese territory.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • This recipe, which keeps things simple, relies on the winning combination of cinnamon and apples to perfume a vanilla cake with pockets of tender fruit.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Don’t miss the botanical and sculpture gardens, which are perfumed by the jasmine and orchid flowers that bloom all over.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of perfume
Noun
  • For years now, hotels have been spending more and more on signature fragrances to woo and hook guests.
    — Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • My mom used to own a boutique in Paris many years ago, which carried a fragrance called Reminiscence.
    — Elektra Kotsoni, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of fragrance
Noun
  • Manipulation, escalation, flattery and vindictiveness are not the unavoidable price of sounding natural.
    — Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Tom Cruise's recent effusive praise for Kate Middleton was not just Hollywood flattery, according to royal experts.
    — Ashley Hume , Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of flattery
Verb
  • Some administration officials argue that Washington is merely trying to avoid unnecessarily infuriating Beijing.
    — David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Some descendants worry that the new research from Kurin and his colleagues will only infuriate die-hard Jefferson apologists further.
    — Andrew Lawler, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of infuriate
Noun
  • These casual spaces will draw you in with the aroma of baked cheese, usually with a barrel of buñuelos (perfectly round, crisp cheese balls) frying at the entrance.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Candle Salt & Stone’s best-selling santal and vetiver scent brings the aroma of a crackling bonfire, minus the excessive smoke inhalation.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of aroma

Browse Nearby Words

incendiary
incense
incensed
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Cite this Entry

“Incense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incense. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on incense

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about incense

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