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.
What he lacked was a modicum of a chance, a sniff at goal.
From BBC • Sep. 25, 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
The child of today, spoiled for choice in targeted programming, might sniff at the old shows, but a CGI “Pufnstuf,” which happily no one has proposed, would be all but pointless, and potentially depressing.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2023
Closer to home in the present, the telescope will sniff at the atmospheres of planets orbiting nearby stars, looking for the infrared signatures of elements and molecules associated with life, like oxygen and water.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 25, 2021
He watched the tiny ink Mrs. Norris turn left and pause to sniff at something on the floor.
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
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