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
An entire realm of talented pianists were not given enough ado and were sometimes sniffed at.
—
The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025
Back to back European Cup wins are not be sniffed at (only two UK clubs have ever done it) and the leap from second tier to B2B winners in Europe will never be repeated.
—Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Bregman's numbers at Fenway Park are nothing to sniff at.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
In less than 12 seconds, Alan considered Sandoval’s desperate desire to be a Faithful, sniffed at his plaid kilt, and called him out for his infidelity.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025
However, those users will also be exposed to branding from companies Google cites as sources, effectively endorsing their websites as trustworthy sources (something definitely not to be sniffed at).
—Nick Brown, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
The large character begins sniffing at the camera, as though sniffing at the viewer, spooking Rodney.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Center Joe Tippmann held up well against Lawrence, which is nothing to sniff at.
—Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024
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
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The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025
Back to back European Cup wins are not be sniffed at (only two UK clubs have ever done it) and the leap from second tier to B2B winners in Europe will never be repeated.
—Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Bregman's numbers at Fenway Park are nothing to sniff at.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
In less than 12 seconds, Alan considered Sandoval’s desperate desire to be a Faithful, sniffed at his plaid kilt, and called him out for his infidelity.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025
However, those users will also be exposed to branding from companies Google cites as sources, effectively endorsing their websites as trustworthy sources (something definitely not to be sniffed at).
—Nick Brown, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
The large character begins sniffing at the camera, as though sniffing at the viewer, spooking Rodney.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Center Joe Tippmann held up well against Lawrence, which is nothing to sniff at.
—Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024
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
Cite this Entry
“Sniff at.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sniff%20at. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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