sniff 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sniffnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

sniff

2 of 2

verb

ˈsnif How to pronounce sniff (audio)
as in to smell
to become aware of by means of the sense organs in the nose a curious cat sniffing the flowers in the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sniff
Noun
This is whimsical at every sniff, from the fizzy first spray to the jammy drydown. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 July 2026 Sturgess sprayed it, gave it a sniff and spread some on her wrist. — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Verb
The Pomeranian munchkins in Munchkinland skitter around, sniffing wagging butts. — Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Favorite activities include taking long walks, sniffing in the yard with the siblings, and playing with balls. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sniff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniff
  1. scent
  2. smell
  3. aroma
  4. inhale
Noun
  • They are well documented in insects and other animals, and some pheromones do not have a discernible scent, Scientific American explained.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Nobody loves bug bites, or the scent of being doused in bug spray.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of scent
Verb
  • North Texas residents are seeing and smelling smoke because of a shift in wind direction from the Ross Fire, which has burned more than 80,000 acres in Palo Pinto and Jack counties.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Dogs slept outside and got baths every six months and sometimes disappeared for three days and then came home smelling like Paris Hilton circa 2003, and no one asked any questions.
    — Mimi Montgomery, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • The rice is stirred over medium heat for a few minutes, giving the grains time to become opaque or lightly golden and release a toasty, nutty aroma.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The specific compounds responsible for the classic smoky aroma of a campfire – phenolic compounds like guaiacol and syringol – are highly reactive.
    — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of aroma
Verb
  • Vapes use a small, lithium battery to heat liquids such as nicotine for users to inhale.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • If disturbed, asbestos’ microscopic crystalline fibers get into the air, where they can be inhaled, cause lung scarring and lead to fatal cancers.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of inhale

Phrases Containing sniff

Browse Nearby Words

snide
sniff
sniff (at)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sniff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniff. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All