as in scent
the quality of a thing that makes it perceptible to the sense organs in the nose
we took a good sniff of the sauce, trying to guess its ingredients
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sniff
Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
McInerney fans may take a few sniffs opening weekend, and Fox fans may hole up for a couple weeks of curious glances, but Bright Lights boxoffice prospects seem mighty dim.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
In footage shared by the ABF, a sniffer dog could be seen sniffing a black suitcase and clear plastic bag.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sniff
Noun
Inside the stables, the family’s other two horses greeted Troy with affectionate sniffs, snuggles and neighs.
—Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
McInerney fans may take a few sniffs opening weekend, and Fox fans may hole up for a couple weeks of curious glances, but Bright Lights boxoffice prospects seem mighty dim.
—Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
One of the newest mold sniffing dogs is Spore, who works for 1-800 Water Damage in North Dakota.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
In footage shared by the ABF, a sniffer dog could be seen sniffing a black suitcase and clear plastic bag.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sniff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniff
Noun
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Scientists assumed bull ants, which don’t rely primarily on scent navigation, had to wake up before dark and use the day’s last light to find their way to sustenance.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
17 May 2026
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The scent of olive orchards and sea salt fill the air, the whizz of our tires the only soundtrack.—
Jennifer Leigh Parker,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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His home office is a narrow two-bedroom near an asphalt processing plant and a superfund site, both of which can be smelled with the windows open on a warm day.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
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Shelves lined with baking ingredients, bolts of fabric, tinware, nails, and jars of penny candy created a patchwork of textures and smells ranging from molasses and leather to spices and tobacco smoke.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Don’t miss Shinrin-Yoku, a crisp and delicate Japanese-style rice lager, or the ever-popular Sightglass IPA, built on a pilsner malt base with aromas of berry and key lime.—
Vivian Chung,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
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Don’t skip the almond extract—a small splash deepens the cherry flavor and gives the filling its bakery-style aroma.—
Claire Saffitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Because the high is brief, users may repeatedly inhale the substance over a short period of time, which increases the risk of toxicity.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
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Rather than burn tobacco, e-cigarettes heat up a liquid consisting of nicotine, flavorings and additives that are inhaled as vapor.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sniff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniff. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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