I don't usually burn incense at home.
Source: tatoeba (2315338)
Incense
/ˈɪnsɛns/
Synonyms for "incense" (241 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (49)
adulationagallochagapeaggravateagitatealoeswoodannoyaromaaromatizearouseaspergesaspersionauricular confessionawakeawakenbalmbalminessbar mitzvahbas mitzvahblandishment
Show 20 more words
blandnessblarneyblow the coalsblow upbouquetbristlebuncombebunkumburnt offeringbuttercajolementcajolerycalambaccall forthcall upcelebrationcensechafecircumcisioncollection
Strong matches (72)
complimentconfessionconfirmationdrink offeringembalmembitterenkindleenoughenrageex voto offeringexasperateexciteeyewashfair wordsfanfan the firefan the flamefawningfeed the fireferment
Show 37 more words
fireflameflatteryfomentfragrancefragrancyfrankincensefrenzyfretfruitinessfulsomenessfumigategallglibnessgreaseheatheat upheave offeringhecatombhigh celebrationholocausthoneyed phraseshoneyed wordshuffhuman sacrificeimmolationimpassioninciteinfanticideinflameinfuriateinstigateinvocationinvocation of saintsireirritatejoss stick
Adjective(3 words)
Verb(5 words)
Related words (120)
key upkindlekiss of peacelather uplaying on of handslesser litanylibationlight the fuselight uplignaloeslinaloalitanylove feastlustrationmactationmadmaddenmiffmovemuskiness
Show 92 more words
nettlenosegayoblationodorodorizeofferingoffertoryoiloilinessolibanumoverexcitepalaverpastillepaxpeace offeringpeeveperfumepiacular offeringpiquepraisepretty liesprocessionalprovokeput up torallyranklereciting the rosaryredolencerileroilrouserufflesacramental offeringsacrificesandalwoodscapegoatscentself-immolationself-sacrificeset astirset fire toset onset on fireset upsic onsmellsmoothnesssmugnesssoapsoft soapsoft wordsspicespicinesssteam upstirstir the bloodstir the embersstir the feelingsstir upsuavenesssuavitysummon upsutteesutteeismsweet nothingssweet savorsweet smellsweet talksweet wordssycophancytelling of beadsthank offeringthe confessionalthe confessionarythurifytickleturn onumbrageunctuousnessvexvotive offeringwakewake upwakenwarmwarm the bloodwheedlingwhetwhip upwhole offeringwork intowork up
Adjective(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: adulation, agalloch, agape, aggravate, agitate.
- Sentence evidence is available for incense, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "incense".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "incense"
Keep "incense" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "incense" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "incense", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "incense" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
15 entriesMore specific
13 entriesCollocations
10 entriesburn incensefrankincense resinincense burnerincense coneincense ritualincense stickincenses the audienceincenses the crowdjoss sticksandalwood incense
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriesSample sentences
19 total sentences available.
She likes to burn incense while practising yoga.
Source: tatoeba (2334903)
The priest reprimanded the altar boy for swinging the incense around like a lasso.
Source: tatoeba (5636062)
Then back, rejoicing, through the liquid air / to Paphos and her home she flies away, / where, steaming with Sabaean incense rare, / an hundred altars breathe with garlands fresh and fair.
Source: tatoeba (6789113)
Showing 4 of 19 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "incense"?
Closest matches include adulation, agalloch, agape, aggravate, agitate.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "incense"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.