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

Musically, the band is probably most indebted to post-punk, with a whiff of New Wave and electronica. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026 Both teams now limp into Saturday's game in Austin with bruised bodies and egos, and carrying a whiff of desperation for a win to keep the season from unraveling. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

Ohtani fouled off the next two pitches before whiffing on a sinker to end the inning. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026 Alcantara, who walked one and whiffed three, is winless in his last eight starts. — Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiff

Noun

Not long ago, broadcasters avoided even a hint of gambling conversation.

— New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026
Dylan Carden, an equity analyst for William Blair, wrote in a note published Friday that Under Armour’s results give few hints as to when a recovery could be expected for the company.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of hint

Verb

If the trees are close enough to smell and the sea near enough to hear, she’s set and then some.

— Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
Arresting officers noted that Gonzalez smelled strongly of alcohol, slurred his speech, and showed signs of head injuries sustained during the fight.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of smell

Noun

After two years in power-play purgatory under assistant coach Newell Brown, during which the Kings placed 29th cumulatively, there’s finally a glimmer of hope for the power play with first-time NHL assistant Ray Whitney.

— Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
Wednesday’s loss didn’t have a glimmer of a comeback, resulting in an exhausting slog toward the final margin.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of glimmer

Verb

Why would the Bears have been sniffing around Nelson while also considering defensive pieces that could aid them for the second half of the season?

— Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
In fact, New England barely sniffed 40 yards of total offense in the quarter.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of sniff

Verb

Severity depends on the amount of bacteria that’s inhaled, the strain that’s involved and individual susceptibility, Vanrompay says.

— Rachel Melegrito, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Apparently Robyn is the only one who has inhaled enough fresh air to recognize the friction.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of inhale

Browse Nearby Words

whickers

whiff

whiffed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Whiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiff. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of whiff

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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