Simple:
* The dog sniffed the air, trying to track the scent of the missing cat.
* She sniffed the flowers, enjoying their sweet fragrance.
Figurative:
* He sniffed at the idea, finding it completely ridiculous.
* After the argument, she sniffled back her tears, trying to compose herself.
With a specific object:
* The child sniffed the freshly baked cookies, his mouth watering in anticipation.
* The detective sniffed the suspicious powder, taking note of its unusual odor.
In a dialogue:
* "What's that smell?" she asked, sniffing the air.
* "I just sniffed the new perfume," he said, "and it smells like lavender."
These examples demonstrate the different ways "sniffed" can be used, from literal actions to figurative expressions and in various contexts.