sniff at

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.

What he lacked was a modicum of a chance, a sniff at goal.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2025

The child of today, spoiled for choice in targeted programming, might sniff at the old shows, but a CGI “Pufnstuf,” which happily no one has proposed, would be all but pointless, and potentially depressing.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2023

“India is working with great fervor with Israel on defense and technology, and Adani now has a port there. You think the Indian government can sniff at that?” said Bhaskar.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2023

The ability to transform such refrigerator and pantry staples into a knock-your-socks-off dish of cheesy baked pasta is nothing to sniff at.

From Salon • Dec. 11, 2021

Miss Hilly sniff at me and say, “It’s not worth my time.”

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett