smelling salts

NOUN

faintness relief

Synonyms

WEAK

Methedrine ammonium carbonate hartshorn methamphetamine hydrochloride sal volatile salts spirits

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Football leans on tradition, providing convenient cover for the NFL’s lenient stance on smelling salts, ammonia crystals that players believe enhance performance when inhaled.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

Ahead of the 2025 season, the league’s head, neck and spine committee recommended that teams end the longtime practice of providing smelling salts to players.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

These days, the Federal Aviation Administration requires that U.S. airlines carry smelling salts onboard in case a pilot needs to be awakened after fainting.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

While the issue is likely to be considered by World Rugby's advisory panel of concussion experts at their next scheduled meeting in September, there is no intention to convene to discuss smelling salts before then.

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2025

These heroines were always willowy and managed to land in graceful postures of repose, and were revived with the merest passing of a decorated flagon of smelling salts under their noses.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly