Synonyms of sniff

sniff 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scent
• smell
• aroma
• stench
• fragrance
• whiff
• odor
• redolence
• perfume
• fragrancy
• attar
• savor
• stink
• funk
• musk
• bouquet
• rankness
• rancidity
• malodor
• reek
• spice
• lusciousness
• fetor
• tang
• incense
• ambrosia
• aromaticity
• foulness
• savoriness
• fetidness
• gaminess
• noisomeness
• odorousness
• acridness
• odoriferousness

sniff

2 of 2

verb

ˈsnif 

as in to smell

to become aware of by means of the sense organs in the nose

a curious cat sniffing the flowers in the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

• smell
• inhale
• whiff
• snuff
• scent
• nose
• breathe
• drink (in)
• snort
• respire
• snuffle
• savor

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sniff

Noun

Mackenzie writes with the characteristic judgmental sniff of an upper-crust tourist. — Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 15 July 2026

This is whimsical at every sniff, from the fizzy first spray to the jammy drydown. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 July 2026

Verb

No self-respecting living thing would deliberately sniff, let alone eat, any part of the plant, which also contains highly toxic steroidal alkaloids. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Even inside of a share-the-wealth Bears offense with impressive weaponry at all the skill positions, Loveland can sniff 90 catches, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing sniff

• sniff (at)