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
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Recent Examples of sniffs
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
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
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The designer likes to switch out scents seasonally.—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
16 Jan. 2026
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While the fragrance-free formula is ideal for teens with extra-sensitive skin, there are also eight different light and refreshing scents to choose from, including Vanilla Cashmere, Fresh and Cozy, Pomegranate Raspberry, Strawberry Dream, Pink Champagne, Jasmine Peach, and Coconut Waters.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Littered with luxury candles, the apartment smells as good as her.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Run them to remove moisture and smells after cooking or bathing.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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What Smells Mice Dislike Cinnamon While the smell of cinnamon is reminiscent of autumn aromas and homemade breakfasts, mice don’t feel the same way.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
6 Jan. 2026
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Thiols are responsible for the distinctive aromas of skunk spray and ripe durian; they’re also added to natural gas to provide a detectable rotten-egg smell at even trace levels.—
Nicola Twilley,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sniffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniffs. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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