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
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
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Hired by Leo's sister-in-law (Shailene Woodley), Detective Bali sniffs out the winding secrets of the powerful Vardakis family, unraveling a crime of passion.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 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
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
At first, the curious canine sniffs a paw, but soon follows the trail straight to the source—the black dog's ear.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Hired by Leo's sister-in-law (Shailene Woodley), Detective Bali sniffs out the winding secrets of the powerful Vardakis family, unraveling a crime of passion.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 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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Back in stock at Bath & Body Works are timeless scents like Fresh Balsam, ‘Tis the Season, and Winter.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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And for the guy who always smells good, this travel-friendly four-pack of solid colognes in classic scents like Sandalwood and Vetiver gives him options depending on his mood or the occasion.—
Tabitha Britt,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Loaded with fresh herbs, celery, and poultry seasoning, this cornbread smells like Thanksgiving in a skillet.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
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Now everybody smells what The Rock is cooking – even Oscar.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The nose is captivating with aromas of brown sugar, caramel corn, and vanilla mingle with wood and a hint of cherry.—
Gege Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
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The aromas, which were two years in the making, were worth the wait.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sniffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniffs. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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