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Definitions

sniff out

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.

He’d been around so long he could sniff out a lame cadet excuse from a mile away.

From Literature

Buyers who come in with those baselines have an easier time sniffing out bad deals.

From The Wall Street Journal

Danoff’s long success was due in part to his ability to sniff out large growth companies early and ride them for years of gains.

From Barron's

Just ask Ernie, the canine star of an article about dogs trained to sniff out prison contraband.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I shall go back to the weird empty field where the humans keep their big, loud, smoky pulling machines and sniff out the names of the other members of the pack.”

From Literature

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.