sniffed

past tense of sniff
as in smelled
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

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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 sniffed In the late 1950s, Johnny and Vivian Cash, his first wife, along with their three daughters, moved from Memphis, Tennessee to California as the fabled singer sniffed out a potential career in Hollywood, like his contemporary Elvis Presley. — David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026 When The Associated Press visited Sunday, Tigrino cautiously emerged from his shelter, sniffed the air and paced around for a few minutes before slipping back into the foliage. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026 The final three possessions to determine the winner included a screen pass sniffed out by Lawrence, tipped in the air and intercepted. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Special Narcotics Prosecutor's Office They were flagged as suspicious at a UPS facility in Queens after a K9 sniffed out the drugs. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 The team also observed fewer responses to urine odors the test cats had previously sniffed after a few months, suggesting that cats have a long-term memory for urine scents. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026 Barkley sniffed the patient all over, and pointed right at her neck, around where the thyroid is located. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 11 Aug. 2026 There was the guy Daemon stabbed through the ear, and then the smelly killers Gwayne sniffed out, and now Ser Adrian, who took a knife to the throat within seconds of seeing Aemond. — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 From July 24 to July 26, pups competed in the Dog On It Scent Work Trials, where dogs sniffed around boxes, underneath chairs and outside to find the scent. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 28 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sniffed
Verb
  • In my early memories, my grandfather had smelled like carpet cleaner.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • For Dylan Feierabend, there are few things more life-affirming than fishing for redtail surfperch and smelt at Centerville Beach in rural Humboldt County.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The chemical is highly corrosive, toxic when inhaled or touched, and flammable under specific concentrations.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The poorer the air being inhaled by children in Hackney, the more regularly the dust was agitated and the thicker the storm and richer the color inside the box.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sniffed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sniffed. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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