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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whiffing
After whiffing on Schwarber, the team’s biggest move to date to help improve the offense has been the signing of 28-year-old outfielder JJ Bleday, who was non-tendered by the Athletics following a disappointing 2025 season.
—
C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 15 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
C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 15 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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The study found that the dog-owning group of mice spent more time sniffing other mice and approaching trapped cagemates.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
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One worker joined the FBI and made a career in counterintelligence, sniffing out Chinese spies.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Spot cleaning helps keep your pillow looking and smelling fresh between full washes.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
26 Jan. 2026
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As with baking soda, this technique not only facilitates hair removal but also leaves carpets smelling fresh and clean.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Nearly all the health damage from smoking comes from inhaling smoke produced by burning tobacco, not from nicotine itself.—
Kevin Bardosh,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2026
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Keep peppermint oil away from babies and young children, as inhaling the menthol in the oil may cause serious side effects for them.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whiffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiffing. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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