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
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
Will Sammon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Hired by Leo's sister-in-law (Shailene Woodley), Detective Bali sniffs out the winding secrets of the powerful Vardakis family, unraveling a crime of passion.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 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
So, like two detectives sniffing a break in a case, Richardson and Soto further investigated, scanning more clips in search of supporting evidence.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Hired by Leo's sister-in-law (Shailene Woodley), Detective Bali sniffs out the winding secrets of the powerful Vardakis family, unraveling a crime of passion.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sniff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniff
Noun
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By noon, the scent was not quite as strong, but still lingering.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 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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Avoid adding smelly meats, fruit rinds or other sweet-smelling food scraps to your compost.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
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Vrabel probably smells blood in the water.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Welcome to this year’s Best of Beauty winners in the Scent category, a list that includes nine genre-defining fragrances, a solid perfume, two body mists, one delicious-smelling hair mist, two oils, and four home aromas.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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The aromas of this wine - maraschino cherry, pink roses and sea breeze - are dazzling; there is great freshness, excellent complexity and significant persistence; enjoy this over the next three to five years.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream when inhaled, which can cause inflammation and neurological damage.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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Instead of inhaling just burning vegetation, wildland firefighters are increasingly exposed to hazardous and carcinogenic substances, Rahn said.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sniff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniff. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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