sniffing

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sniffing Stuff like storing animal urine in your car to throw off drug-sniffing dogs. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025 But after three more of Karty’s kicks were blocked over the next three weeks and all of them played a role in Rams losses, the panic button has felt a fist as fierce as the ones that kept those kicks from sniffing the uprights. Nate Atkins, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 His boss seems unusually chill with the deception, mostly because this lad might be helpful for sniffing out other moles and double agents in their field. Vulture Editors, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025 During their stay, according to family members and personal notes, the stepdaughter, by then 14, walked in on Errol in her room allegedly sniffing her dirty underwear. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025 On Friday, Day 7, 52 searchers, including four dog teams sniffing around the area where Michelle was last seen, were on the mountain, when someone spotted what appeared to be blood in the snow. Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025 The Bears steamrolled the Cowboys 31-14, and this was the type of game the Cowboys had to steal to have a remote chance of sniffing the playoffs. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025 Three straight 100-loss seasons, sniffing an MLB record this year (for the most losses). Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025 Actors approach acting very differently, and so there’s always a sense at the beginning of sniffing each other out. Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniffing
Verb
  • For Getting Rid Of Odors Is your kitchen smelling less than appetizing after cooking fish the previous night?
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The owner, smelling free labor, agreed.
    Sofía Pereda, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Miners argue increased subjection to the dust has led to an eruption of black lung, an incurable disease associated with inhaling the particles.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Amy Louise Leonard, 20, a makeup artist from Greater Manchester in England, lost the ability to walk for three weeks after inhaling a balloon filled with nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sniffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniffing. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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