sniff at
phrasal verb
sniffed at; sniffing at; sniffs at
: to show dislike or disapproval of (something) especially because one thinks it is not important or worthy of respect
Some people sniff at the idea of using fake flowers.
It's not a big profit, but it's not to be sniffed at.
Your accomplishment is nothing to sniff at.
Examples of sniff at in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Toodle and Fran immediately come to check out the new arrival, sniffing at the box and even having a curious chew on the leaves.
—
Rachael O'Connor, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The OnePlus sale means that Google, Samsung and the Chinese company are currently running sales that shouldn’t be sniffed at.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
That seems to mean that the dog sniffed at the package more than the others.
—Andrew Wimer, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
The one-year-old orphaned kit stood on top of her crate and sniffed at it curiously in her enclosure.
—Jaimie Ding and Jae Hong, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Sep. 2024
Jack the golden retriever wandered from group to group, investigating tourists and their dogs, sniffing at customers' flip-flops, sandals, running shoes and otherwise ubiquitous Xtratuf rubber boots, often worn with the tops folded down to show off a colorful lining of sea creatures.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2024
In Europe, anonymity is sniffed at: Critics for Michelin’s competitor, Gault&Millau, do not go anonymously; neither do those of the London Times.
—John Mariani, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
The affordable prices are certainly a selling point — nothing in the Discover collection (not even the longer-lasting, ‘Intense’ iterations) exceeds the £12.50 mark — but the comparisons to various high-end and designer fragrances aren’t to be sniffed at.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 9 Aug. 2024
Washing your face can feel like a chore so anything that makes the experience a little more enjoyable is not to be sniffed at.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 18 June 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rachael O'Connor, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
The OnePlus sale means that Google, Samsung and the Chinese company are currently running sales that shouldn’t be sniffed at.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
That seems to mean that the dog sniffed at the package more than the others.
—Andrew Wimer, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
The one-year-old orphaned kit stood on top of her crate and sniffed at it curiously in her enclosure.
—Jaimie Ding and Jae Hong, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Sep. 2024
Jack the golden retriever wandered from group to group, investigating tourists and their dogs, sniffing at customers' flip-flops, sandals, running shoes and otherwise ubiquitous Xtratuf rubber boots, often worn with the tops folded down to show off a colorful lining of sea creatures.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2024
In Europe, anonymity is sniffed at: Critics for Michelin’s competitor, Gault&Millau, do not go anonymously; neither do those of the London Times.
—John Mariani, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
The affordable prices are certainly a selling point — nothing in the Discover collection (not even the longer-lasting, ‘Intense’ iterations) exceeds the £12.50 mark — but the comparisons to various high-end and designer fragrances aren’t to be sniffed at.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 9 Aug. 2024
Washing your face can feel like a chore so anything that makes the experience a little more enjoyable is not to be sniffed at.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 18 June 2024
Dictionary Entries Near sniff at
Cite this Entry
“Sniff at.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sniff%20at. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share