whiff 1 of 2

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

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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
There are moments when guests will get a whiff of a fragrance that pairs with the storyline. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026 Glasnow was consistently making Angels hitters swing and miss at his breaking balls – 13 of the Angels’ 18 swings (72%) against his curveball were whiffs and Glasnow drew a 43% whiff rate with his slider. Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the third, with a runner at third base, Nimmo whiffed on another 96-mph fastball in the top right corner of the strike zone. Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 24 Mar. 2026 World Baseball Classic Team USA whiffs Team USA lost 3-2 to Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic title game Tuesday night. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiff
Noun
  • The air smells damp and jungly (in the best possible way) and is sweetened with a hint of frangipani.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Researchers are now exploring Greenland shark genetics for clues about aging, finding hints of enhanced DNA repair and cellular maintenance that could slow aging at a fundamental level.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Investigators described a foul-smelling place with bags and bottles of fetuses and jars of body parts, along with bloodstained furniture and dirty medical instruments.
    Greg Norman-Diamond, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
  • And hand sanitizers, shampoos and liquid soaps smell good and can be confused for water or milk.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Following three straight 100-loss seasons that led to a front-office house cleaning, Rockies fans are peering down the road for glimmers of hope.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Thus, Archer says the book offers a glimmer of hope to its readers.
    Gqlshare, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The speedy outfielder hadn’t sniffed the big leagues in five years.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The technique creates genetic probes that can sniff out the canid DNA from the microbial DNA that can contaminate very old remains.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • When spores are inhaled, symptoms include fever, nausea and chest pain.
    Hannah Kinzer, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
  • When a degraded grassland returns to health, the ground heaves up, as if inhaling with relief.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Whiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiff. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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