WHIFF Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

whiff 1 of 2

noun

ˈ(h)wif

Definition of whiff

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Cameron recorded 14 called strikes and 12 whiffs, per Baseball Savant. — Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026 Beware of bad smells Upon entering a rental, Jones will get a good whiff of the place. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2026

Verb

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 On one play, rookie running back Emmett Johnson whiffed on pass protection, which led to a side conversation with Reid. — Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiff

Noun

The first and last clues were hints to her newest music-video stars, Colin Farrell (saccharide = his show Sugar) and Dakota Johnson (North or South Dakota).

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
The occasional hints on non-denim pieces come in the material’s colors for devoré tops, lace underpinnings and jacquard knits, which often reprise Dondup’s tribal logo.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of hint

Verb

Cozzi’s colleague eventually checked the office bathroom, which overwhelmingly smelled of cleaning products and alcohol.

— Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
Unsuspecting shoppers inevitably will be lured by the delicious smells — and perhaps find their new favorite food court vendor.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of smell

Noun

These sensual glimmers are no match for the antagonistic sociality of straight male relationships, which, in this novel, quickly convert sympathy or desire into rivalry and aggression.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Smatterings of dull hardware added a hint of glimmer to Anna Sui’s dark denim.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of glimmer

Verb

In the late 1950s, Johnny and Vivian Cash, his first wife, along with their three daughters, moved from Memphis, Tennessee to California as the fabled singer sniffed out a potential career in Hollywood, like his contemporary Elvis Presley.

— David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
When The Associated Press visited Sunday, Tigrino cautiously emerged from his shelter, sniffed the air and paced around for a few minutes before slipping back into the foliage.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of sniff

Verb

In effect, thousands of tons of materials that were never intended to be inhaled were crushed, burned, aerosolized and deposited across a densely populated urban area.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Messick emerged from the dugout tunnel Monday afternoon in a hoodie with cutoff sleeves, inhaled and reveled in the crisp air that tends to accompany a playoff race.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of inhale

Browse Nearby Words

whickers

whiff

whiffed

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Style

“Whiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiff. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of whiff

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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