as in hint
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whiff
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
Of course there are still detractors, but in an era in which public cancellations abound and apologies are scrutinized for any whiff of inauthenticity, Milli Vanilli’s wrongdoings can now seem quaint.
—Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Midway through the second quarter, USC forward Dayana Mendes whiffed on a 3-point shot, sending an airball effort into the hands of fellow post Yakiya Milton.
—Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whiff
Noun
Lulu’s eccentric confidence — or, better put, her confidence in her own eccentricity — carves out a space for her in an episode that’s otherwise fairly plain, all without a whiff of judgement.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
Of course there are still detractors, but in an era in which public cancellations abound and apologies are scrutinized for any whiff of inauthenticity, Milli Vanilli’s wrongdoings can now seem quaint.
—Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Backup offensive lineman Thayer Munford whiffed blocking the Patriots' first run, but otherwise mowed defenders down as a fullback and moving tight end.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Midway through the second quarter, USC forward Dayana Mendes whiffed on a 3-point shot, sending an airball effort into the hands of fellow post Yakiya Milton.
—Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiff
Noun
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There are some hints that weighted blankets can help with anxiety, chronic pain and sleep.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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At song’s end, the camera moved over to big-screen photos of the late Charlie Kirk and his widow, Erika Kirk, who is now in charge of TPUSA, followed by a fade to darkness and closing credit that still did not offer many hints where the performance was taking place.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These are the areas where, as Solodko explains, perishables interact, and smells can happen.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
11 Feb. 2026
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Pine-Sol can get rid of tough stains and smells such as grease and unpleasant odors on athletic gear for clothing that seems good as new.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The novel is famously austere, with mere glimmers of physical intimacy.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Some believe the ouster of strongman leader Nicolás Maduro offers a glimmer of hope for rebuilding institutions and guaranteeing citizens’ rights.—
CNN 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Photos show the stacks of cash were well disguised among other boxes in the trailer, but a drug-sniffing K-9 was not fooled, police said.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2026
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Security measures include comprehensive surveillance, bomb-sniffing dogs, and aerial radiation surveys.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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They can also be inhaled — particularly when heated during styling — and absorbed through a person’s hands.—
Claretta Bellamy,
NBC news,
12 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Whiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiff. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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