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
If Ed got a whiff of Alice pulling her gun on Marshall, she’d probably be fired, and all her work on the case would also be compromised. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 Cameron induced 58 swings and 17 whiffs, per Baseball Savant. — Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
Mets starter Freddy Peralta allowed three runs, all unearned, and whiffed five in 5 2/3 innings. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for whiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiff
  1. hint
  2. smell
  3. glimmer
  4. sniff
  5. inhale
Noun
  • Astronomers observing Betelgeuse in 2024 found hints of a second star, and now a paper published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics strongly supports its existence.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The team also found hints that oxygen was present in the brine, and even a bit of genetic evidence to suggest that underground microbes might be capable of using it.
    — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of hint
Verb
  • Finding the right concoction to smell like Diet Coke requires a few key elements.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 13 Aug. 2026
  • One man in his early 20s told me that his childhood friends had been recruited to work in fentanyl labs and would return smelling like chemicals for weeks.
    — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • But Johnson offered a glimmer of hope in his explanation about the looming suspension.
    — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • About a week and a half into her care, she was moved out of the intensive care unit, offering a glimmer of hope.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Verb
  • In one study conducted at Monell Chemical Senses Center, researchers had people sniff underarm odor samples across age groups.
    — Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Barkley sniffed the patient all over, and pointed right at her neck, around where the thyroid is located.
    — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of sniff
Verb
  • People are thought to get infected by inhaling the amoeba from windblown dust or by getting contaminated soil or water in a wound.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Also called square breathing, this four-step method asks children to inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts and hold again for four counts.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of inhale

Browse Nearby Words

whickers
whiff
whiffed
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Cite this Entry

“Whiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiff. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on whiff

Nglish: Translation of whiff for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about whiff

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