as in sniffing
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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Recent Examples of whiffing
Falvey was far from a perfect front-office lead, whiffing on plenty of trades and signings.
—
Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
This is still like the administration whiffing on the Epstein files.
—NBC news, 21 Dec. 2025
The Houston Astros are in a tough spot after whiffing on the postseason last season.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
And after whiffing on Mazi Smith in the first round in 2023, grabbing a defensive tackle like Walter Nolen also presented some intrigue.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Dec. 2025
Instead, after whiffing on Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley and Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, the Pats pushed all their chips in to land him.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Overshooting a dodge or whiffing a swing usually leads to contact damage, followed by an enemy attack, which will stun you for a few frames for them to reposition, causing even more contact damage as the foe decides to move through you.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
But Treinen snuffed out the rally by whiffing Adames looking at a full-count 96 mph sinker that nicked the outside corner and Matt Chapman swinging at an 85 mph sweeper that was way outside.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Outside of star left tackle Christian Darrisaw and depth receiver Jalen Nailor, Minnesota has almost nothing left from the 2021 and ’22 draft classes after whiffing on high picks in 2022 on first-round safety Lewis Cine, second-round cornerback Andrew Booth and third-round guard Ed Ingram.
—Josh Dubow, Twin Cities, 4 Sep. 2025
Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
This is still like the administration whiffing on the Epstein files.
—NBC news, 21 Dec. 2025
The Houston Astros are in a tough spot after whiffing on the postseason last season.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
And after whiffing on Mazi Smith in the first round in 2023, grabbing a defensive tackle like Walter Nolen also presented some intrigue.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Dec. 2025
Instead, after whiffing on Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley and Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, the Pats pushed all their chips in to land him.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Overshooting a dodge or whiffing a swing usually leads to contact damage, followed by an enemy attack, which will stun you for a few frames for them to reposition, causing even more contact damage as the foe decides to move through you.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
But Treinen snuffed out the rally by whiffing Adames looking at a full-count 96 mph sinker that nicked the outside corner and Matt Chapman swinging at an 85 mph sweeper that was way outside.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Outside of star left tackle Christian Darrisaw and depth receiver Jalen Nailor, Minnesota has almost nothing left from the 2021 and ’22 draft classes after whiffing on high picks in 2022 on first-round safety Lewis Cine, second-round cornerback Andrew Booth and third-round guard Ed Ingram.
—Josh Dubow, Twin Cities, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiffing
Verb
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And given that two cops are already sniffing around the Redfellows’ sudden propensity for premature expiration, Becket finds himself in quite a predicament.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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The same disaster that flirted with Canada early in the day was sniffing around Team USA on Wednesday.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Their ice maker expelled large clumps of wet salt, which, when rubbed, dissolved into an oily, foul-smelling substance.—
Nick Bowlin,
The Frontier,
16 Feb. 2026
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No one wants to open the fridge only to be met with a foul-smelling odor.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Your daughter breathes that same air, inhaling the virus directly into her respiratory tract.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
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These new players were inhaling possibilities.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whiffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiffing. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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