sniff at

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.

This is the evidence Robinson believes can be England's X-factor at the World Cup, irrespective of those "purists" who may sniff at such an approach.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

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

Stray dogs wander across a disused dry dock and sniff at piles of rusted metal.

From New York Times • Aug. 19, 2022

Rishi was dipping his head in what he hoped was a surreptitious way to sniff at his armpit when Dimple grabbed his arm and said, “Look!”

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon