sniff
verb (used without object)
to draw air through the nose in short, audible inhalations.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The enemy flew drones that could find Ukrainian positions by sniffing out their electronic emissions, including radio.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
“I believe equities are sniffing out the deteriorating credit quality in the $3 trillion of off-balance sheet items being used to finance the AI capex boom.”
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026
Cats that had already become accustomed to the original sample began sniffing more again when the BFA fraction was switched.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026
As part of the response, the US is stationing dogs capable of sniffing out screwworms at the borders.
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026
Ratwin moved across the ship, sniffing in corners, flicking out a small light green tongue to taste the paint.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
