sniff at

verb

sniffed at; sniffing at; sniffs at
Synonyms of sniff atnext
: 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
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.
Her black cat sniffs at the flood’s edge. Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026 So 9 knots is not to be sniffed at. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026 His dog, Bull, wagged his tail and sniffed at the patch of browning grass under his paws. Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Nov. 2025 In this blue-collar town, which is still mourning the loss of its steel industry, those aren’t numbers to sniff at. Andrew Dickson, Bloomberg, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sniff at

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Cite this Entry

“Sniff at.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sniff%20at. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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