whiff 1 of 2

noun

ˈ(h)wif How to pronounce whiff (audio)
Definition of whiffnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whiff

2 of 2

verb

as in to smell
to become aware of by means of the sense organs in the nose whiffed the pot of chili on the stove and announced that he was staying for dinner

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 whiff
Noun
Amid the chaos of modern life, a whiff of honey offers a welcome dose of warmth and ease. — Lauren Valenti, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026 Cameron recorded 14 called strikes and 12 whiffs, per Baseball Savant. — Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
Jacas also let Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson escape the pocket on one edge rush and whiffed on a run stop in the backfield with no lineman in front of him. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 On one play, rookie running back Emmett Johnson whiffed on pass protection, which led to a side conversation with Reid. — Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiff
  1. hint
  2. smell
  3. glimmer
  4. sniff
  5. inhale
Noun
  • Though some concept drawings were released by the company shortly after the project began in 2008, more recent renditions have been little more than hints showing the craft as an outline in the haze, with only the nose and cockpit showing clearly.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Though Kid Rock has not yet discussed his new album — or his relationship with Allen — beyond a brief Instagram post, past comments might offer a hint into his decision to include someone who’s been all but banished from the country music industry.
    — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of hint
Verb
  • For example, one version of the chemical carvone smells like mint, while the other has a whiff of caraway, a spice often used in rye bread.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The attorneys said detainees have complained about going three to seven hours without water, and about having access only to tap water that tastes like metal and smells like fish.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • These sensual glimmers are no match for the antagonistic sociality of straight male relationships, which, in this novel, quickly convert sympathy or desire into rivalry and aggression.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Smatterings of dull hardware added a hint of glimmer to Anna Sui’s dark denim.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Verb
  • Linebacker Chase Smith sniffed out the run and got the fourth-down stop.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Alaniz then detained her for a drug-sniffing dog, which alerted to the vehicle.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of sniff
Verb
  • Delphi sits above a geologic vent, an X from which noxious gases escaped the earth, corrupting the minds of women who inhaled and pronounced their prophecies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The chemical is highly corrosive, toxic when inhaled or touched, and flammable under specific concentrations.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of inhale

Browse Nearby Words

whickers
whiff
whiffed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiff. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on whiff

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about whiff

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