snuffle

verb snuf·fle \ ˈsnə-fəl \

Definition of snuffle

snuffled; snuffling play \ˈsnə-f(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb

1 : to snuff or sniff usually audibly and repeatedly

2 : to breathe through an obstructed nose with a sniffing sound

3 : to speak through or as if through the nose : whine

transitive verb

: to seek or test by or as if by repeated sniffs

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snuffler

play \ˈsnə-f(ə-)lər\ noun

See snuffle defined for English-language learners

See snuffle defined for kids

Examples of snuffle in a Sentence

The child was snuffling in his room.

Recent Examples of snuffle from the Web

Breathing Room For many dog lovers, behaviors like snoring and snuffling are considered aww-worthy (just check out the many Youtube videos of snoring pugs, reverse sneezing French Bulldogs and congested English bulldogs).

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "The Evolution of Petface," 1 Feb. 2018
One afternoon, the faint smell of charcoal briquettes wafted over the crowd, sunburned men and women planted in camp chairs and trying to keep snuffling dogs not used to leashes to heel.

— penelope green, New York Times, "The Real Burning Man," 31 Jan. 2018
Once again, the MTA snuffled for cash, a developer had the inside track, and civic groups howled at being left out.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "The Megamall–Hotel–Condo–Concert Hall That Ate New York City," 10 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'snuffle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.