Provided are a method for searching for a malodor inhibitor by using the response of an olfactory receptor as an indicator a method for inhibiting malodor based on the antagonism of olfactory receptors and a malodor inhibitor. Disclosed are a method for searching for a malodor inhibitor, the method including: adding a test substance and a malodor-causing substance to any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1, measuring the response of the olfactory receptor to the malodor-causing substance, identifying the test substance that suppresses the response of the olfactory receptor on the basis of the measured response, and selecting the identified test substance as a malodor inhibitor an antagonist to any one olfactory receptor selected from the group consisting of OR51E1, OR2W1, OR10A6, OR51I2, and OR51L1 a method for inhibiting malodor using the antagonist.
