Welcome back, fellow word sleuths! Today, we’re diving into a sensory puzzle that often crops up in our grids: the ever-evocative
crossword clue
that points to a distinct olfactive experience. Specifically, we’re wrestling with “Strong-smelling (7).”
This isn’t just any
crossword clue
; it’s one that immediately engages our senses, pulling us into a world of pungent aromas, fragrant bouquets, or perhaps something a little less delightful. The beauty of such a
crossword clue
lies in its ability to be both incredibly specific and maddeningly vague all at once. “Strong-smelling” could conjure images of freshly brewed coffee, a pungent cheese, a potent disinfectant, or even the earthy scent of damp soil after rain. The key, as always, is to consider the nuances of language and the clever ways setters interpret common descriptors.
When you encounter a
crossword clue
like this, especially one related to senses, it’s essential to broaden your linguistic net. What are the many synonyms for “strong” when applied to smell? We often think of intensity, but “strong” can also imply distinctiveness, memorability, or even an overwhelming quality. Is the smell
powerful
?
Pungent
?
Acrid
?
Aromatic
?
Fragrant
? Each word carries its own particular shade of meaning, and often, the setter is looking for that exact, precise fit.
The seven-letter constraint on this
crossword clue
is our guiding light. It immediately narrows down the possibilities, pushing us to think about words that specifically convey “strong-smelling” in a compact, elegant form. This is where your inner thesaurus gets a workout. Consider the various contexts in which something might be described as having a powerful scent. Is it an object? A substance? An abstract quality? The answer often hinges on the most common, direct synonym that fits the letter count.
Think about the source of the smell, too. Is it something that naturally exudes a powerful aroma, like a certain herb or spice? Or is it a characteristic of something manufactured, like a cleaning product or a chemical? The world of “strong-smelling” is vast and varied, from the sublime to the utterly unbearable, and the cleverness of the
crossword clue
often lies in its ability to represent this spectrum with a single, perfect word.
Another strategy when faced with this type of
crossword clue
is to consider common prefixes or suffixes that denote a quality or state. Are there any common word roots associated with olfaction that could lead to a seven-letter word? Sometimes, the answer is a less common but perfectly valid synonym that we might not use in everyday conversation but that perfectly fits the definition in a crossword context. This is the art of crossword setting and solving – finding the precise lexical key to unlock the puzzle.
Ultimately, mastering sensory
crossword clues
like “Strong-smelling (7)” comes down to a blend of vocabulary, lateral thinking, and an appreciation for the subtle shades of meaning in our language. Don’t just think “smelly”; think about
how
it smells, the
intensity
of that smell, and the most common and precise single word that captures that essence within the given letter count.
Keep exploring, keep puzzling, and keep that nose for words finely tuned. This specific
crossword clue
is a fantastic exercise in linguistic precision, and the satisfaction of finding that perfect seven-letter fit is, well, quite aromatic indeed! Happy solving, everyone.
Available Answers:
ODOROUS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Saturday, 19 July 2025