as in hints
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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Recent Examples of whiffs
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
His curveball, which has generated nine total called strikes or whiffs, has drawn rave reviews from the big leaguers in camp.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Ten minutes in, the new pitch began eliciting whiffs, altering the conversation in the coaches’ room.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The right-hander allowed two runs over two innings in his second appearance but generated nine whiffs, six being with his sweeper.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
But Schoen’s draft and free agent whiffs have turned the Giants roster into an incomplete collection of players, rather than a team.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
Imai did not induce any whiffs on the four swings against him.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
The entry sequence sets the tone for the project’s fusion of technology, craft, and occasional whiffs of spirituality.
—Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 18 Jan. 2026
The San Francisco 49ers coach was caught by a Fox television camera moments before a playoff game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles taking several whiffs from a small packet before handing it to an assistant.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2025
Given Eldridge’s offensive profile, there will likely always be a fair amount of strikeouts and whiffs in his game.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
His slider and changeup, used 23 total times, were unhittable, generating seven whiffs on seven swings.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
His curveball, which has generated nine total called strikes or whiffs, has drawn rave reviews from the big leaguers in camp.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Ten minutes in, the new pitch began eliciting whiffs, altering the conversation in the coaches’ room.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The right-hander allowed two runs over two innings in his second appearance but generated nine whiffs, six being with his sweeper.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
But Schoen’s draft and free agent whiffs have turned the Giants roster into an incomplete collection of players, rather than a team.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
Imai did not induce any whiffs on the four swings against him.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026
The entry sequence sets the tone for the project’s fusion of technology, craft, and occasional whiffs of spirituality.
—Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 18 Jan. 2026
The San Francisco 49ers coach was caught by a Fox television camera moments before a playoff game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles taking several whiffs from a small packet before handing it to an assistant.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
Both whiffs only further reminded me what a top-tier star Clooney used to be, and these staid recent efforts help meta-textually burnish Jay Kelly’s initial setup.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2025
Given Eldridge’s offensive profile, there will likely always be a fair amount of strikeouts and whiffs in his game.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiffs
Noun
-
There are some hints that along with the switch to colder weather, there could be some light snow.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Stout is a full-bodied ale that lends toasty depth and hints of malt and hops to the broth.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But sometimes, that noise, those people, and all those sights and smells can feel a little too overwhelming.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The newest offering from Michelle Pfeiffer’s perfume line is a sheer, fig-forward musk that smells effortlessly sexy and cool.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Amid the infinity pools and sleek van transfers, careful touches of Bohol culture abound at South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao, from bold, handcrafted textiles and reclaimed wood in the rooms to classic Filipino dishes and heritage ingredients, which brighten the food and beverage options.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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The earlier that rhythm can be established via ball movement and touches, the better the Timberwolves’ offense finds its flow and functions with production from all cogs.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the video, Chilli sniffs large bricks to locate the scent a trainer shared with him.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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Tovar is the one officer who immediately sniffs out that there’s something weird about Gacy, and Luna incrementally nudges the character further and further into obsession.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The audience gets glimmers of Katie and Greg’s relationship, but the show is bogged down by dull characters like the policeman who seems to have it out for Greg, and even by its focus on Archie’s point of view, which is just a depiction of narcissism and a formulaic pseudo-midlife crisis.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
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The sun and light glimmers and shines off this material and the entire interior looks, and feels, slick like a black lacquer has been applied throughout.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There were moments, like when the Bobcats tied the game at 64 with 5 minutes and 34 seconds, showing flickers of resistance.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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Excusing those two flickers of broken hegemony, the WSL’s highest echelon has been an unassailable strongbox, a figment of the rest of the table’s imagination.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whiffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiffs. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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