Thesaurus results for 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

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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 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 When walking your dog, keep them from sniffing or chewing plants along trails and sidewalks. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026 Supervise pets outdoors, especially in unfamiliar areas, and keep dogs from sniffing or chewing plants on trails and sidewalks. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 What if there was an easier way to discover your signature scent than sniffing through sample after sample of perfume? — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 July 2026 Ormund is introduced in the third-season premiere issuing orders at his army’s encampment and then, with a put-upon air, closely sniffing his pomander as if offended by the whole dreary business. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026 Both EagleShield and All Day West will perform inspections using bedbug-sniffing dogs after treatment is complete, Guillén wrote. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniffing

Verb

This eau de parfum, in particular, balances fruity and floral well—without smelling like your grandma’s perfume that’s been on her vanities for decades.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 July 2026
After a minute or two, a spray of water came from the hole, smelling suspiciously like the Newtown Creek.

— Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026

Definition of smelling

Verb

Health effects from inhaling wildfire smoke But the effects are sweeping, said Hayden, who has developed real-time mapping of mortality estimates from wildfire smoke.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 July 2026
In many cases, people contract the disease by inhaling tiny droplets of contaminated water.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026