as in scents
the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose
we took a good sniff of the sauce, trying to guess its ingredients
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 sniffs
Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
McInerney fans may take a few sniffs opening weekend, and Fox fans may hole up for a couple weeks of curious glances, but Bright Lights boxoffice prospects seem mighty dim.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
There are loud sniffs and some sobs.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
When Cody the golden retriever was introduced to his new sibling, his owner probably would have hoped for some happy tail wags and some curious sniffs to show his curiosity.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Just a few kilometers away, a black bear sniffs and studies the device tethering it to a tree.
—Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
From pet stores to hardware stores (with aisles as long as some street blocks), your dog will get in plenty of sniffs, pets, and some light exercise.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Tovar is the one officer who immediately sniffs out that there’s something weird about Gacy, and Luna incrementally nudges the character further and further into obsession.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
The picture shows them on the floor together with Comet fully exposing his belly, a sign of trust, while Dottie sniffs him.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Lina sniffs, stamps her feet in the snow to make her own set of giant prints to frighten this creature.
—Hazlitt, 8 Oct. 2025
On play two, Moore sniffs out the reverse from deep alignment, takes a sharp angle to the ball and makes the open-field stop.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
In one recent video, Stella sniffs Mia’s infant daughter and then presses the button for her name.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
Inside the stables, the family’s other two horses greeted Troy with affectionate sniffs, snuggles and neighs.
—Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
McInerney fans may take a few sniffs opening weekend, and Fox fans may hole up for a couple weeks of curious glances, but Bright Lights boxoffice prospects seem mighty dim.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
There are loud sniffs and some sobs.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
When Cody the golden retriever was introduced to his new sibling, his owner probably would have hoped for some happy tail wags and some curious sniffs to show his curiosity.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Just a few kilometers away, a black bear sniffs and studies the device tethering it to a tree.
—Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
From pet stores to hardware stores (with aisles as long as some street blocks), your dog will get in plenty of sniffs, pets, and some light exercise.
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the video, Chilli sniffs large bricks to locate the scent a trainer shared with him.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Tovar is the one officer who immediately sniffs out that there’s something weird about Gacy, and Luna incrementally nudges the character further and further into obsession.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
The picture shows them on the floor together with Comet fully exposing his belly, a sign of trust, while Dottie sniffs him.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Lina sniffs, stamps her feet in the snow to make her own set of giant prints to frighten this creature.
—Hazlitt, 8 Oct. 2025
On play two, Moore sniffs out the reverse from deep alignment, takes a sharp angle to the ball and makes the open-field stop.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
In one recent video, Stella sniffs Mia’s infant daughter and then presses the button for her name.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniffs
Noun
-
Ahead, find simple ways to keep your home smelling fresh long after cleaning, plus tips for layering scents for a more balanced result.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
16 Apr. 2026
-
This season, what’s particularly trending are fruity scents.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Spiky Mexican feathergrass pushes through the gravel in the high desert that smells of creosote after a light rain.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Avoid salmon that looks dull, smells strong, feels mushy, or shows gaps in the flesh.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The season brings natural aromas like florals and herbs that signal a new beginning.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
16 Apr. 2026
-
These pioneering chemists from IQUEMA also spearheaded other astonishing, detailed archaeological initiatives that determined the compositions of old wine and aromas of the Roman Empire and of the mortars used in the Domus of Salvius, in the present case.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sniffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniffs. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
