Synonyms of whiff

whiff 1 of 2

noun

ˈ(h)wif 

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

• hint
• glimmer
• flicker
• touch
• breath
• suggestion
• trace
• scent
• sign
• tang
• evidence
• wind
• inkling
• indication
• intimation
• mark

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• saturation
• permeation
• pervasion

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

• smell
• sniff
• inhale
• scent
• snuff
• nose
• drink (in)
• breathe
• snort
• savor
• respire
• snuffle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of whiff

Noun

The right-hander has had excellent whiff rates and strikeout rates in the minors but hasn’t replicated that success in the majors. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026

Peralta is eliciting whiffs at a career-worst rate, and a strikeout rate that used to sit above 30 percent has tumbled down to the league average this year. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Verb

Jordan’s star player Mousa Al-Tamari whiffed on a crossing attempt, but the ball went right to midfielder Nizar Al-Rashdan, who hit the shot with the outside of his right foot. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026

Posey, meanwhile, whiffed on the franchise-changing Devers trade. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026