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
Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
There are loud sniffs and some sobs.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
If the Faithful don't sniff out the Traitors, the latter can take all the money for themselves at the end of the show − a situation Maura Higgins found herself in during the Season 4 finale.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sniff
Noun
Here's what to look—and sniff—for.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026
There are loud sniffs and some sobs.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
The naysayers decried the acting as overripe, sniffing instead of sniffling.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
If the Faithful don't sniff out the Traitors, the latter can take all the money for themselves at the end of the show − a situation Maura Higgins found herself in during the Season 4 finale.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sniff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniff
Noun
-
The likes of Interview editor-in-chief Mel Ottenberg and German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans have been spotted perusing the fair’s textiles, tableware, lighting, scents, ceramics, and furniture from independent designers, architects, heritage brands, family-run companies, and galleries.—
Katherine McGrath,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2026
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Of course, military operations often have to be kept under wraps to protect combatants and keep enemies off the scent.—
Parmy Olson,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Mice know cats can smell them, and cats emit chemicals that terrify mice.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Spring flowers smell like fish.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Cold temperatures dull flavors and aromas—meaning your drink just won't be as full-flavored as one poured at room temperature or served over ice.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
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Louis Latour’s 2024 Chassagne Montrachet has aromas of honeycomb, pineapple, and white flowers with bright acidity and flavors of vanilla, pear, and marzipan.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Legionella can be carried in water vapor or mist and can cause illness if inhaled.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Those guardrails are in place because air pollutants that come from the generators, like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and ‘fine particulate matter’ are known to cause lung and heart health issues when inhaled.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sniff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniff. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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