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sniffle

verb

Definition of snifflenext
as in to whine

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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 sniffle However, as warmer temperatures approach, other respiratory infections and allergy symptoms are expected to take over, with more coughing and sniffling on the horizon. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2026 Bleary eyes and sniffling noses emerging from the locker room. — Justin Williams, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026 The naysayers decried the acting as overripe, sniffing instead of sniffling. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026 Han appeared to choke up at times and sniffled while giving her statement. — Christina Hall, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sniffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniffle
  1. whine
  2. snivel
  3. sob
  4. cry
  5. snuffle
  6. whimper
  7. weep
  8. bawl
Verb
  • Still, to Sandy, Joe’s whining is no reason to write him off altogether.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • And everyone stop whining to their mom about the other one – or in this case, a federal judge.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • The Odyssey also features the nymph Calypso (Charlize Theron) and Penelope’s sniveling suitor, Antinous (Robert Pattinson), who is seeking to marry the queen and become the ruler of Ithaca.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
  • All this in an environment where politicians like Jeff Bridges (running for state treasurer who lives in the Cherry Creek school district) whine and snivel about his associates in the teachers’ union not having the funds to effectively teach our kids.
    — DP Opinion, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of snivel
Verb
  • Officers described the videos recorded by that camera, writing that Westman seemed agitated after a visit with family and at times sobbed before driving by the church and school the night before the attack.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • After the 911 audio concluded, a recess was called and she was wheeled from the room sobbing loudly.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sob
Verb
  • In court, Lindsay appeared to cry during opening statements when a prosecutor described her three children and their manner of death.
    — Selena Barrientos, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • When the Kirk family attorney spoke about how Charlie Kirk stood for the opposite of hate, Erika Kirk was crying and nodding along.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of cry
Verb
  • Fava snuffled and dawdled and took her own sweet time up the sidewalk.
    — Dan Kois, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Next to arrive is her disembodied trunk, with a mind of its own, snuffling out friends and enemies and food.
    — Jesse Green, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Definition of snuffle
Verb
  • And then the child began to whimper, slowly waking from her sleep.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Pancho, a heavy-bodied Airedale, whimpered and rubbed against my leg with the expectation of excitement to come.
    — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026
Definition of whimper
Verb
  • Many around the world looked in horror last month at images of a Ukrainian grandmother weeping as the body of her grandson was pulled from the rubble of his home following a Russian missile attack.
    — Marc A. Thiessen, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Dil Maya Lama stood weeping outside the help desk at the hospital, searching for information about her missing 26-year-old brother, a driver for a hydropower company in Rasuwa.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of weep
Verb
  • After the break, Olson wrapped up her testimony as Clancy continued bawling with her head down.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Willis, who is heterosexual, bawls much like Carl Bean.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Definition of bawl

Browse Nearby Words

sniffish
sniffle
sniffled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sniffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniffle. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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