WHIFF Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

whiff 1 of 2

noun

ˈ(h)wif

Definition of whiff

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

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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

If Ed got a whiff of Alice pulling her gun on Marshall, she’d probably be fired, and all her work on the case would also be compromised. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 Cameron induced 58 swings and 17 whiffs, per Baseball Savant. — Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026

Verb

Meanwhile, teams that whiffed on KD were forced to resort to alternative options. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Mets starter Freddy Peralta allowed three runs, all unearned, and whiffed five in 5 2/3 innings. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiff

Noun

And given the lunar ice’s likely extreme age, Dell’Agnello says, tracing its history would offer hints about the origins of Earth’s water as well.

— Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026
In overtime versus Penn State, Moore had a wide-open touchdown to Kenyon Sadiq on the corner route but quickly found the checkdown at the first hint of pressure.

— Dane Brugler, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of hint

Verb

Throughout their time at the zoo, the rats have maintained their smelling skills and their work through daily training and lots of treats, including sunflower seeds and special smoothies.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
And since management changed a decade ago, Ortega, 59, said pungent smells on days the plant operates have prevented him from going outside or opening the windows.

— Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of smell

Noun

So, with her back garden pantry set to soon look more potatoes-and-carrots than homegrown orange orchard, will the Duchess keep the all-Americana, Netflix-y glimmer and gloss?

— Chandler Tregaskes, Vanity Fair, 22 Aug. 2026
That rapid growth has provided a glimmer of hope in Hollywood, where optimism has been in short supply.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of glimmer

Verb

Here’s a quick look at the stories that shaped the past several days in the capital region, including the Sacramento Zoo’s debut for rats that sniff out landmines to a downtown Woodland pharmacy hit with anti-LGBTQ+ vandalism.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 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

Definition of sniff

Browse Nearby Words

whickers

whiff

whiffed

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Style

“Whiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiff. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of whiff

noun

verb

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