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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Recent Examples of sniff
Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 1 Aug. 2025
Louie the cat, left, checks out the concrete slab, and JoJo, right, performs a concrete sniff test.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
There is always another tendency to sniff out, another set of shoulder strengthening to do, another spin through the rolodex of play calls, checks and signals lurking.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sniff
Noun
One sniff of the stuff created visions of Zen-X aesthetics dancing through my head to the tune of the Pure Moods compilation CD.
—Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 1 Aug. 2025
Louie the cat, left, checks out the concrete slab, and JoJo, right, performs a concrete sniff test.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
Verb
Myla Mae then explored more of her new toys, sniffing them and moving them around the house, her tail wagging the whole time.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
There is always another tendency to sniff out, another set of shoulder strengthening to do, another spin through the rolodex of play calls, checks and signals lurking.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sniff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniff
Noun
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The whisky opens with the scent of dark cherries, raisins, and Brazil-nut toffee, touched with marzipan and date caramel.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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From slam dunks to signature scents, Shaquille O’Neal’s latest venture proves fragrance can be powerful, personal, and affordable.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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No one wants to use a bathroom that smells stale (or worse).—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
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But that did little to allay the concerns of Dermish and his neighbors, who continued to see flares light up the sky and to smell gas wafting over the community.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Tequila is floral and aromatic, featuring aromas of cooked and fresh agave, enhanced by a subtle floral sweetness and tropical fruit notes, especially banana, guava, and pineapple.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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For the most delicious variety, food enthusiasts should follow the aromas to the most concentrated locations with bold gastronomic ambitions.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When dust is inhaled, the particles can collect in your lungs and lead to respiratory issues.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
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Under Robinson’s leadership, a team of his firm’s attorneys fought and won an 18-year court battle on behalf of the state’s victims of brown lung, a disease that strikes textile workers who inhale particles from raw cotton.—
Michael Gordon,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sniff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniff. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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