SNUFFING Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

snuffing

verb

present participle of snuff

as in sniffing

to become aware of by means of the sense organs in the nose the dog began barking as soon as she snuffed the scent of squirrel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in murdering

to put to death deliberately the proprietor of the boarding house had apparently snuffed almost 50 old men before she was caught

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 snuffing What seemed to matter most to Murphy was snuffing out a political star in formation, Bronin. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026 When Rhaenyra learns Helaena jumped to her death at the episode’s conclusion, Rhaenyra shuts the window, snuffing out the last of her compassion for her father’s other children. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 Indeed, snuffing out that insect’s life may have strengthened her sense of belonging. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Quiet season expected due to El Niño's impacts Forecasts for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season were mostly below-normal due to the storm-snuffing impacts of El Niño. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 22 July 2026 Holding it all together is the irrepressible Rodri, sweeping up loose balls and snuffing out counter-attacks with a positional awareness few central midfielders match. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026 Another method is to cut off oxygen to the fire by using a snuffing lid, then let the fire burn out naturally. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026 The lead secured, Switzerland shifted to a five-man midfield out of possession, snuffing out the space and challenging the Algerians to play through it, but Petkovic’s charges struggled to break their opponents down. — Reuters, NBC news, 3 July 2026 The lefty has premium stuff and showed it again Thursday, snuffing out Seattle’s best chance to win the game. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for snuffing

Verb

Mondon, a 2025 fifth-round pick, opened team drills with the second-team defense by sniffing out a run along the perimeter.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
The Pomeranian munchkins in Munchkinland skitter around, sniffing wagging butts.

— Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of sniffing

Verb

Statham plays a former marine who has to prove his innocence after he’s framed for murdering his billionaire boss.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Tyrone Noling, who was convicted in 1996 of murdering an elderly couple and has maintained his innocence, is pictured June 15, 2005, in Mansfield, Ohio.

— CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of murdering

Verb

Public health experts have linked these health effects directly to exposure to contaminated water and air emanating from the pollution crisis, like the toxic foul-smelling gas hydrogen sulfide.

— Samhita M Ilango, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
But a tough guy can’t be walking around smelling like a medicine cabinet.

— Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of smelling

Verb

Utah prosecutors are turning up the heat on Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk, arguing that the evidence against him easily meets the standard required to send the case to trial.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Ferrell instead starred as the villainous mogul Jacobim Mugatu, who attempts to brainwash Derek into assassinating the prime minister of Malaysia.

— Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

Definition of assassinating

Verb

More studies are showing the wide-ranging negative health impacts of inhaling wildfire smoke, which is especially toxic when blazes tear through urban areas and burn up household appliances, batteries and chemicals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Another man was taken to Insight Hospital and Medical Center in fair condition after also inhaling water, police said.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of inhaling

Verb

With a steely disposition, Dikha is seen in the videos standing at the very front of a thin boat, executing a repetitive series of dance moves as a line of rowers propel them through a river.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
For a franchised restaurant business, corporate strategy only works if operators can make money executing it.

— Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of executing

Verb

Such attacks are common in Nigeria, where multiple armed groups operate, killing and kidnapping people for ransom.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Plane crash in Alaska A charter plane carrying eight people crashed near a remote radar site in western Alaska, killing everyone on board.

— Irene Byon, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026