sniff
verb (used without object)
to draw air through the nose in short, audible inhalations.
have been sniffing
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present perfect progressiveof sniff.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
Search dogs have been sniffing through the rubble and rescuers are listening closely for any signs of life, but hope of finding more survivors is fading.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2023
Still, people have been sniffing the water coming from the taps, wondering about water in private wells and checking mysterious rashes in the mirror.
From New York Times ● Feb. 28, 2023
Major labels, luxury fashion houses and experimental television creators have been sniffing around.
From New York Times ● May 11, 2022
But the intriguing angle this time is the suggestion that Glynn's latest tilt is not motivated by a fondness for negotiation, but because rival William Hill may have been sniffing around Betdaq too.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 21, 2012
I supposed she must have been sniffing around, wanting to get a whiff of my science project for next year.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
