Synonyms of sniffing

sniffing

verb

present participle of sniff

as in smelling

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

• smelling
• inhaling
• snuffing
• whiffing
• scenting
• nosing
• breathing
• snorting
• drinking (in)
• respiring
• snuffling
• savoring

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sniffing

Dogs can be trained to alert to these odors by sniffing samples of breath, plasma and saliva, and have the capacity to detect cancerous cells early on in the disease’s progression, according to the Kennel Club. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2026

And the men’s team in Midtown — led by owner James Dolan, who notoriously left the Liberty for dead — couldn’t come close to sniffing the Larry O’Brien trophy either. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Ryder said police got a call about Thompson acting irrationally and possibly sniffing glue. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

Safe and smart practices for walking your dog Walking your dog is an amazing way to bond with your dog while sharing experiences, and there’s not much more charming than the sight of a dog sniffing fresh air; however, safety is critical. — Tanya Edwards, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

The woods were dead silent except for the sound of her huffing and sniffing. — Todd Orr, Outdoor Life, 30 July 2026

If the Jazz are sniffing around the Play-In or more, Peterson will get a lot of attention. — The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 27 July 2026

The plot involves Brian trying to get out of an emotional and psychological rut by volunteering to be a drug-sniffing dog for the local police force. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026

The bear spent several moments sniffing around the office and wandering through the building before returning to the entrance, pushing the door open again and leaving on its own. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026