Definitions

sniff out

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ferret out v.
seek v.
track/track down v.

VERB

ferret out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ascertain bring to light drive out get at uncover unearth

WEAK

be on to chase chase down determine dig out dig up disclose discover elicit extract follow hunt hunt down learn nose out penetrate pick up on pierce probe pry pursue quest root out scout out search out seek smell out smoke out trace track down trail worm out

VERB

seek

Synonyms

STRONGEST

explore follow investigate pursue

STRONG

chase comb delve dragnet fan fish hunt inquire mouse nose prowl quest ransack root scout scratch

WEAK

be after beat the bushes bird-dog bob for cast about delve for dig for ferret out fish for go after gun for leave no stone unturned look about look around look high and low run after search for search out track down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore shun

WEAK

answer find neglect reply

VERB

track/track down

Synonyms

WEAK

apprehend be hot on the trail beat the bushes bird-dog bring to light capture catch chase cover dig up discover do dog dog footsteps of draw an inference expose ferret out find go after hunt piece together put together run down scout shadow smell out stalk stick to tail trace trail travel traverse unearth

Antonyms

WEAK

run away

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.

See Examples For:

sniff out

Officials such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the plan was to right-size the staff and introduce more technology to sniff out unpaid tax bills.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 5, 2026

This week, Brett Berk reports on efforts to develop AI-powered e-noses that can smell health conditions, sniff out airborne contaminants, or even develop perfumes more quickly and cheaply.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

Rampling crackles as a matriarch who can sniff out her kids’ lies and insecurities but has the good manners not to say anything.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 24, 2025

The bond vigilantes, as first coined by Wall Street veteran Ed Yardeni, sniff out government largess, corporate profligacy, geopolitical tremors, and inflation risks long before other financial assets and respond in kind.

From Barron's ● Dec. 24, 2025

With his acute sense of the ship’s inner workings, he should have been able to sniff out two stowaways as soon as they boarded.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee

sniff out

Example Sentences

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