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Synonyms

sniff at

British  

verb

  1. (intr, preposition) to express contempt or dislike for

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

But Parris came off after an hour, having struggled to implement England's press and having barely had a sniff at goal.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2025

So in the interest of self-improvement, I open my pack of what look like markers and sniff at them one by one.

From Salon • Jan. 5, 2025

It was about 8:30 p.m. when the spotted beast appeared and stopped to sniff at mountain lion scat before opening its jaw.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2024

City’s star striker Erling Haaland, meanwhile, was kept quiet throughout and never had a sniff at goal.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 8, 2023

He strained his neck forward to sniff at Alex’s outstretched hand.

From "Eleven" by Tom Rogers

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.