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.

It's the stuff of smelling salts and stretchers.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

“I’m a regular user of smelling salts, taking them for a boost of energy before every offensive drive,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

George Kittle, the 49ers All-Pro tight end, jumped on an NFL Network broadcast to proclaim that smelling salts were crucial to his performance.

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

Every bell pull that could be found was rung and rung and rung yet again, to wake the sleeping servants, call for smelling salts, find someone to run for a doctor, and so on.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood