Sniffled

Sniffled describes the act of drawing air audibly up the nose, often to suppress a cry or to clear nasal congestion. It's typically associated with sadness, illness, or emotional distress. The sound is a short, involuntary intake of breath, commonly accompanied by a watery nose or red eyes. The act of sniffling is often a sign of vulnerability, physical discomfort or emotional turmoil, expressing itself through this physical manifestation.

Sniffled meaning with examples

• Overcome with grief, she sniffled quietly, wiping away tears with the back of her hand. The loss of her beloved pet had left her heartbroken, the sniffles a tangible representation of her sorrow that afternoon.
• The child, having fallen and scraped their knee, sniffled, clutching their leg. Their small frame trembled slightly as they fought to maintain composure, a small, tear-filled sniffle escaping with each shaky breath.
• As the winter cold worsened, John began to sniffle regularly, his nose running. The common cold took its grip. He tried to fight it, but his sniffles were a clear indication that he needed to rest and recover.
• In the tense silence of the courtroom, the defendant sniffled nervously, his fate uncertain. The pressure and anxiety of the situation caused him to try and fight back the overwhelming emotions that brought on his sniffles.
• The little girl, watching the sad movie, sniffled, reaching for a tissue. The emotional scene, filled with loss, resonated deeply with her, and her sniffles were a mirroring of her empathetic reactions.