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
Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 1 Aug. 2025
Louie the cat, left, checks out the concrete slab, and JoJo, right, performs a concrete sniff test.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
Will Sammon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Hired by Leo's sister-in-law (Shailene Woodley), Detective Bali sniffs out the winding secrets of the powerful Vardakis family, unraveling a crime of passion.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sniff
Noun
One sniff of the stuff created visions of Zen-X aesthetics dancing through my head to the tune of the Pure Moods compilation CD.
—Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 1 Aug. 2025
Louie the cat, left, checks out the concrete slab, and JoJo, right, performs a concrete sniff test.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
Verb
So, like two detectives sniffing a break in a case, Richardson and Soto further investigated, scanning more clips in search of supporting evidence.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Hired by Leo's sister-in-law (Shailene Woodley), Detective Bali sniffs out the winding secrets of the powerful Vardakis family, unraveling a crime of passion.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sniff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniff
Noun
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The whisky opens with the scent of dark cherries, raisins, and Brazil-nut toffee, touched with marzipan and date caramel.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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From slam dunks to signature scents, Shaquille O’Neal’s latest venture proves fragrance can be powerful, personal, and affordable.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Avoid adding smelly meats, fruit rinds or other sweet-smelling food scraps to your compost.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
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Vrabel probably smells blood in the water.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Lavender Tea Lavender is an evergreen, bushy plant native to Mediterranean climates, known for its sweet aroma.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
9 Sep. 2025
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That’s because its long-lasting, masculine aroma gives scents structure, warmth, and depth—and there’s plenty of variance between and among its cultivars.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These particles are small enough to enter the bloodstream when inhaled, which can cause inflammation and neurological damage.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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Instead of inhaling just burning vegetation, wildland firefighters are increasingly exposed to hazardous and carcinogenic substances, Rahn said.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sniff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniff. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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