noisome
adjective
Did you know?
Noisome looks and sounds like a close relation of noisy, but it’s not. While noisy describes what is excessively loud, noisome typically describes what is excessively stinky. (It is also used to describe things offensive to the senses generally, as well as things that are highly obnoxious, objectionable, or simply harmful.) Noisome comes from the synonymous Middle English noysome, which combined the suffix -some, meaning “characterized by a specified thing,” and the noun noy, meaning “annoyance.” Noisy, incidentally, comes ultimately from Latin nausea, meaning “nausea.”
Synonyms
- insalubrious
- noxious
- sickly
- unhealthful
- unhealthy
- unwholesome
Example Sentences
Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2022 But Trudeau is using it to get rid of a political headache: the loud, noisome, but nonviolent blockade of bridges in Canada and the downtown of the nation’s capital. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 16 Feb. 2022 But her water bowl is filled with a noisome black, brackish liquid — what has fouled it, and for how long, is anyone’s guess. Gene Weingarten, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2021 And there were some years where his fame was turned infamous by serious accusations of the most noisome acts. Ashley Cullins, Billboard, 3 May 2021 Auschwitz was his laboratory, offering limitless subjects and unbound by noisome ethical inhibitions. David Margolick, WSJ, 24 Jan. 2020 Farmers agreed to reduce the emissions of the country’s noisome pigs. The Economist, 9 July 2019 When asked to share a story about the worst moment in his career, Griffin talked about yet another interaction with a noisome audience member. Nina Metz, chicagotribune.com, 5 June 2018 This, of course, is a very Patriot way of dealing with a noisome issue from outside the stadium. Charles P. Pierce, SI.com, 15 Jan. 2018 See More Word History
Middle English noysome, from noy annoyance, alteration of anoi, from Anglo-French anui, from anuier to harass, annoy — more at annoy
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
noisome
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- poisonous
- toxic
- noxious
- unhealthful
- unwholesome
- insalubrious
- sickly
- insanitary
- unhealthy
- unsanitary
- unhygienic
- lethal
- germy
- fatal
- nonnutritious
- mortal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- healthful
- sanitary
- healthy
- hygienic
- nutritious
Synonyms & Similar Words
- disgusting
- ugly
- sickening
- awful
- hideous
- horrible
- obscene
- obnoxious
- offensive
- dreadful
- shocking
- nasty
- unpleasant
- noxious
- loathsome
- evil
- odious
- abominable
- nauseating
- repulsive
- revolting
- repugnant
- horrid
- gross
- foul
- rancid
- gruesome
- appalling
- scandalous
- distasteful
- abhorrent
- repellent
- vile
- nauseous
- undesirable
- horrific
- terrible
- horrendous
- fulsome
- disturbing
- unwanted
- disagreeable
- hateful
- repellant
- objectionable
- monstrous
- unwholesome
- miserable
- detestable
- contemptible
- grim
- brackish
- despicable
- ghastly
- horrifying
- nightmarish
- unwelcome
- unhealthy
- unsavory
- heinous
- unspeakable
- frightful
- sick
- execrable
- barbarous
- grisly
- sickly
- dislikable
- lurid
- uncivilized
- atrocious
- macabre
- dislikeable
- exceptionable
- unholy
- ungodly
- sickish
- lousy
- upsetting
- distressing
- unchristian
- hard
- off-putting
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- innocuous
- inoffensive
- delightful
- pleasant
- congenial
- desirable
- acceptable
- agreeable
- delectable
- sweet
- alluring
- attractive
- heavenly
- delicious
- pleasurable
- enjoyable
- felicitous
- dreamy
- luscious
- appealing
- satisfying
- palatable
- gratifying
- dulcet
- nice
- pleasing
- welcome
- savory
- likable
- darling
- blest
- likeable
- inviting
- savoury
- unobjectionable
- blessed
- salubrious
- unexceptionable
- healthful
- salutary
- wholesome
- healthy
- delightsome
- restorative
Synonyms & Similar Words
- stinking
- malodorous
- fetid
- reeking
- foul
- filthy
- disgusting
- ripe
- stinky
- smelly
- rotting
- fusty
- frowsy
- rotted
- funky
- rotten
- musty
- dirty
- reeky
- frowsty
- strong
- putrid
- stenchy
- vile
- frowzy
- rank
- nasty
- noxious
- revolting
- repulsive
- rancid
- bad
- odorous
- skunky
- offensive
- odoriferous
- stale
- decaying
- spoiled
- spoiling
- decayed
- odiferous
- decomposing
- decomposed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fragrant
- aromatic
- redolent
- perfumed
- scented
- ambrosial
- sweet
- savory
- savoury
- woodsy
- flowery
- spicy
- fruity
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of noisome are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, putrid, rank, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.
Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.
The words malodorous and noisome are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.
While the synonyms putrid and noisome are close in meaning, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.
While in some cases nearly identical to noisome, rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.
Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.