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

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, 8 Oct. 2026 But a whiff of the roasted treat, emanating without access to its visual source, is part of its charm. — Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

Hunter Gaddis struck out pinch-hitter Carlos Cortes and Smith whiffed Henry Bolte. — CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026 Greenlaw, for example, whiffed on a tackle attempt of Puka Nacua on a 41-yard pass play in the second quarter — the longest play of the game for either team — that set up Los Angeles’ only score. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiff

Noun

That question motivated Clark to better understand aging among plants and animals and to look for hints to extend humans' lifespan.

— KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Until this glorious fall Saturday afternoon gave way to the hints of early evening, Indiana football — once the losingest team in all of college football — hadn’t tasted their ordinary helping of defeat for 666 days.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hint

Verb

At some point, even Pelley and Chayka are going to have to wake up and smell the coffee.

— James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
The district attorney’s office said the child was reported to smell like cat urine and appeared seriously underweight and pale.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of smell

Noun

Curt Cignetti has not just provided a championship mindset for the passionate fans that were sitting through days of blowouts and small glimmers of hope in past years.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Still, Crow—the ever-optimist, as her body of work proves—clings on to the glimmers of hope from leaders of the world who do show us the best parts of humanity.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of glimmer

Verb

The buck walked up to the dripper, sniffed it for a moment, and moved on.

— Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Sid is smart enough to sniff this out, and the show seizes the opportunity to raise the romantic stakes through an adorably British expression of mutual libidinousness.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sniff

Browse Nearby Words

whickers

whiff

whiffed

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Whiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiff. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of whiff

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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