as in scent
the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose
we took a good sniff of the sauce, trying to guess its ingredients
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sniff
Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Italy cut the lead to 19-8 by halftime and was in the match but after the break France didn't give Italy a sniff.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
At the time, fellow Arab leaders sniffed, but today, with the enormous cost of regional chaos weighing directly on the Gulf, the king’s words are prescient.
—Hadley Gamble, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sniff
Noun
Upon first sniff, there’s a palpable jammy sweetness thanks to the strawberry note that’s entangled with fresh blooms like white lily and peony.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Italy cut the lead to 19-8 by halftime and was in the match but after the break France didn't give Italy a sniff.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
The species name refers to its fetid smell, likened to that of linseed oil or stink bugs, although some who sniff it find its fragrance sweet.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
At the time, fellow Arab leaders sniffed, but today, with the enormous cost of regional chaos weighing directly on the Gulf, the king’s words are prescient.
—Hadley Gamble, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sniff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniff
Noun
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Skip perfumes, cologne and strong scents that may draw bees’ attention.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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Light, texture, music, scent—all contribute to a sense of immersion.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Investigators described a foul-smelling place with bags and bottles of fetuses and jars of body parts, along with bloodstained furniture and dirty medical instruments.—
Greg Norman-Diamond,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
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And hand sanitizers, shampoos and liquid soaps smell good and can be confused for water or milk.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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So did barbecue lighter fluid, dry cleaners, paints, deodorants, breweries, and the ethanol in the aromas from commercial bakeries.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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Peach Blossom & Nectar is a fruity, delectable aroma ideal for spring and summer.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When spores are inhaled, symptoms include fever, nausea and chest pain.—
Hannah Kinzer,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2026
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When a degraded grassland returns to health, the ground heaves up, as if inhaling with relief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sniff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniff. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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