sniffing

Definition of sniffingnext
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

Relevance

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 Barricades are up, bomb-sniffing dogs are on patrol and everyone entering the stadium area is screened at a checkpoint. Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026 The two first-round picks netted by the Mavericks will not come close to sniffing lottery territory. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026 Photos show the stacks of cash were well disguised among other boxes in the trailer, but a drug-sniffing K-9 was not fooled, police said. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026 Security measures include comprehensive surveillance, bomb-sniffing dogs, and aerial radiation surveys. Terry Collins, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026 But a little before that, photographer Poupay Jutharat was on the ground at the Javits Center, sniffing around as the pups prepped, primped, and occasionally napped before go-time. Poupay Jutharat, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026 Additionally, there are more than five other bomb-sniffing dogs that are in the Bay Area to keep the game safe. ABC News, 4 Feb. 2026 After about a minute of back-and-forthing with the dog, who sometimes comes close enough to eat the food before sniffing it and turning away, Albert and Meghan try one more tactic. Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026 One worker joined the FBI and made a career in counterintelligence, sniffing out Chinese spies. Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniffing
Verb
  • Spot cleaning helps keep your pillow looking and smelling fresh between full washes.
    Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 26 Jan. 2026
  • As with baking soda, this technique not only facilitates hair removal but also leaves carpets smelling fresh and clean.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Nearly all the health damage from smoking comes from inhaling smoke produced by burning tobacco, not from nicotine itself.
    Kevin Bardosh, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2026
  • Keep peppermint oil away from babies and young children, as inhaling the menthol in the oil may cause serious side effects for them.
    Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sniffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniffing. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sniffing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!