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Definitions

sniff at

VERB
sneer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belittle deride grin jeer scoff taunt
STRONG
affront burlesque caricature crack decry detract disdain disparage dump fleer flout gibe gird insult jest lampoon leer rally ridicule satirize scorn slam slight smile snigger swipe travesty twit underrate
WEAK
curl one's lip at give Bronx cheer hold in contempt hold up to ridicule laugh at look down on put down quip at rank out sneeze at turn up one's nose
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment praise
STRONG
admire applaud approve commend flatter laud respect
VERB
snigger
Synonyms
STRONG
affront belittle burlesque caricature crack decry deride detract disdain disparage dump fleer flout gibe gird grin insult jeer jest lampoon leer rally ridicule satirize scoff scorn slam slight smile snicker swipe taunt travesty twit underrate
WEAK
curl one's lip give Bronx cheer hold in contempt hold up to ridicule laugh at look down on put down quip at rank out sneeze at turn up one's nose
Antonyms
STRONG
admire applaud approve commend compliment exaggerate flatter laud praise respect weaken
VERB
thumb one's nose
Synonyms
WEAK
deride disparage ridicule sneeze 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

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

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

From Seattle Times • Oct. 8, 2023

And YouTube is nothing to sniff at: According to Nielsen, the platform attracts a greater share of streaming users than any other single platform, including Netflix.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2023

Natalie was glad to be alone for a little while, and Churro was happy to sniff at all the piles of trash and debris and to pee on everything.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz