whiff 1 of 2

noun

ˈ(h)wif How to pronounce whiff (audio)
Definition of whiffnext
as in hint
an almost imperceptible sign of something even a whiff of appreciation for everything I've done for her would have been nice

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whiff

2 of 2

verb

as in to smell
to become aware of by means of the sense organs in the nose whiffed the pot of chili on the stove and announced that he was staying for dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 whiff
Noun
The Seahawks, defending Super Bowl champions, got a collective whiff of smelling salts before Sunday’s game, having suffered an embarrassing loss at Washington a week earlier. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 But a whiff of the roasted treat, emanating without access to its visual source, is part of its charm. — Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
Greenlaw, for example, whiffed on a tackle attempt of Puka Nacua on a 41-yard pass play in the second quarter — the longest play of the game for either team — that set up Los Angeles’ only score. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Jacas also let Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson escape the pocket on one edge rush and whiffed on a run stop in the backfield with no lineman in front of him. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiff
  1. hint
  2. smell
  3. glimmer
  4. sniff
  5. inhale
Noun
  • Gone are the beer bashes, the thrill of invention and any hint that Zuckerberg lusted for something — women, attention, clout — other than a quarterly earnings report.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • However, the document didn't give any clear hints as to when exactly policymakers thought that hike could come.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of hint
Verb
  • For example, one version of the chemical carvone smells like mint, while the other has a whiff of caraway, a spice often used in rye bread.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The attorneys said detainees have complained about going three to seven hours without water, and about having access only to tap water that tastes like metal and smells like fish.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • Still, Crow—the ever-optimist, as her body of work proves—clings on to the glimmers of hope from leaders of the world who do show us the best parts of humanity.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Viewers get only glimmers of the characters’ personalities and backgrounds, but the show offers enough detail and texture to understand how Season 1 might unfold.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Verb
  • Linebacker Chase Smith sniffed out the run and got the fourth-down stop.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Alaniz then detained her for a drug-sniffing dog, which alerted to the vehicle.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of sniff
Verb
  • Delphi sits above a geologic vent, an X from which noxious gases escaped the earth, corrupting the minds of women who inhaled and pronounced their prophecies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The chemical is highly corrosive, toxic when inhaled or touched, and flammable under specific concentrations.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of inhale

Browse Nearby Words

whickers
whiff
whiffed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiff. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on whiff

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about whiff

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