as in sniffed
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whiffed
Rockies third baseman Kyle Karros whiffed on a ground ball from Tommy Edman to start the inning.
—
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
All this acrimony stemmed from a case where Fulton County Prosecutor Fani Willis spectacularly whiffed while attempting to criminalize rap lyrics and super glue the misdeeds of everyone Thug and Gunna knew onto them.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
The Marlins whiffed on 10 of his sweepers Saturday.
—Alex Krutchik, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Davidson’s lone bright moment came when senior quarterback Coulter Cleland found receiver Brody Reina for 55 yards after Georgetown defenders jumped the route but whiffed on the tackle.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
Straw never chased much or whiffed often in his career — consistent contact is his natural strength.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
The Sox whiffed on 15 of 39 swings against him.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
The Bronx Bombers whiffed on Juan Soto but have since brought in Max Fried, Devin Williams, and Cody Bellinger.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Again, the humans were told to look for them and still whiffed.
—Derek Newton, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025
All this acrimony stemmed from a case where Fulton County Prosecutor Fani Willis spectacularly whiffed while attempting to criminalize rap lyrics and super glue the misdeeds of everyone Thug and Gunna knew onto them.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
The Marlins whiffed on 10 of his sweepers Saturday.
—Alex Krutchik, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Davidson’s lone bright moment came when senior quarterback Coulter Cleland found receiver Brody Reina for 55 yards after Georgetown defenders jumped the route but whiffed on the tackle.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
Straw never chased much or whiffed often in his career — consistent contact is his natural strength.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
The Sox whiffed on 15 of 39 swings against him.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
The Bronx Bombers whiffed on Juan Soto but have since brought in Max Fried, Devin Williams, and Cody Bellinger.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Again, the humans were told to look for them and still whiffed.
—Derek Newton, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiffed
Verb
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Missouri State, which was an FCS team before this season, squeaked out a field goal in its first drive of the game and had the confidence to attempt a reverse flea flicker on its next possession, but USC’s defense sniffed out the play and pushed the Bears back 11 yards.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
31 Aug. 2025
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Even the smallest tendencies get sniffed out quickly.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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My grandma always slept with curlers in her hair to have perfect spirals the next day, and my mom’s jet-black hair was always long, glossy, and smelled amazing.—
Natasha López,
Refinery29,
10 Sep. 2025
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The vape smoke smelled like unicorn farts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream when inhaled, which can cause inflammation and neurological damage.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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Concern about inhaled anesthesia impacting brain development is not totally unfounded, says Ji-Hyun Lee, MD, PhD, co-author of the new study published in Anesthesiology.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whiffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiffed. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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