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
Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 18 Jan. 2026
Despite mid-90s velocity, Morris’ success is driven more by weak contact than whiffs.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 14 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
Last week, the Steelers started rolling through their run game thanks to several whiffs by Patriots defenders over their first two drives.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Farris struck out five, and got 16 whiffs.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Additionally, Ragans finished with 37 swings and 13 whiffs in his return start.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
The first whiffs of police teargas came before daybreak, with scuffles between riot officers and protesters in Paris.
—Dan Gooding
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Peterson used his sinker to induce ground-balls, and a changeup below the zone got whiffs.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
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
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
Despite mid-90s velocity, Morris’ success is driven more by weak contact than whiffs.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 14 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
Last week, the Steelers started rolling through their run game thanks to several whiffs by Patriots defenders over their first two drives.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Farris struck out five, and got 16 whiffs.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Additionally, Ragans finished with 37 swings and 13 whiffs in his return start.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
The first whiffs of police teargas came before daybreak, with scuffles between riot officers and protesters in Paris.
—Dan Gooding
jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Peterson used his sinker to induce ground-balls, and a changeup below the zone got whiffs.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
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
-
People crafted narratives out of suspicions, rumors and hints, to fill a desperate need for an explanation.—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
There are also a couple of hints that the fate of Europe’s Jews is part of the prevailing atmosphere of unmentionable moral contagion.—
Christopher Tayler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Fine'ry Not Another Cherry Eau de Parfum Not Another Cherry smells like another high-end cherry fragrance that retails for more than 10x the price.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Take a short local hike, moving slowly and focusing on the sights, sounds and smells.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Other much-appreciated touches include breakfast available 24 hours a day, complimentary Berluti shoe shine for all guests, and the possibility of arranging in-room Bulgari jewellery viewings and sales when visiting the in-house boutique feels like a chore.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Asian touches throughout, including a stream of flowing water greeting guests in the lobby, help create an initial Zen atmosphere.—
Forbes Travel Guide,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 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
-
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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In non-theme park play, the game revolves around Illumineers, glimmers, inklands, a lorebook and other buzzwords and actions that are important to players.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2026
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There’s still a long way to go to restore his status as a promising prospect, but there have been glimmers of hope the last couple weeks.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The penalty kill has remained strong, and while the power play has shown flickers of improvement, Colorado has scored just one more goal than its allowed (3-2) while playing with the extra man in this stretch.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
18 Jan. 2026
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My favorite albums reckoned deliberately with our existential moment, offering flickers of hope and grace under pressure.—
Jenn Pelly,
Time,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whiffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiffs. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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