A semiconductor memory device in accordance with an embodiment includes a memory cell array having memory cells disposed at an intersection of first lines and second lines; and a control circuit configured to execute a read operation, thereby determining a resistance state of the selected one of the memory cells. The read operation is an operation configured to execute a sensing operation multiple times and aggregate determination results thereof. The sensing operation is configured such that a first voltage is applied to selected ones of the first lines and a second voltage lower than the first voltage is applied to a single selected one of the second lines. The control circuit suspends application of the first voltage to the first line connected to the selected one of the memory cells determined to be in a first resistance state in one of the sensing operations, and executes the next sensing operation.