hiss 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hissnext
1
as in whistle
a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the hiss of air escaping from a balloon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in snort
a vocal sound made to express scorn or disapproval there was a chorus of boos and hisses from the fans when the umpire called the runner out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hiss

2 of 2

verb

ˈhis How to pronounce hiss (audio)
as in to bubble
to make a sound like that of stretching out the speech sound \s\ the frightened kitten hissed at us when we tried to pick it up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hiss
Noun
Apple's implementation is natural and consistent, without the hiss introduced by Bose and Sony. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026 Workers load stacks of textiles onto belts that move them through the scanner, which emits a sharp hiss while reading the textiles’ composition. — Tian MacLeod Ji, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
The complete assembly weighs just enough for the Madagascar hissing cockroach, a species favored for cyborg research because of its large size, robustness, and wingless body, to carry without significantly impairing its movement. — New Atlas, 18 July 2026 Jason was hissing fiercely; Gordon, who projects a monastic calm, was trying to reason with the mother while batting her back each time the flap swung open. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hiss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiss
  1. whistle
  2. snort
  3. bubble
  4. sneer
  5. fizzle
  6. smirk
  7. swish
  8. boo
Noun
  • During Atletico’s season-opening draw to Villarreal on Sunday, he was booed and walked straight down the tunnel at the full-time whistle after a second-half cameo.
    — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • When the final whistle ended, Messi and the rest of the men in pink trudged off the field and the silent, disappointed crowd headed to the parking lots and train station.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of whistle
Noun
  • The class had been quiet after the camp text, but now there was at least one snort.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • The Rodents of Unusual Size that attack Westley in a swamp work because they are played by small men in rodent suits, rather than coolly conjured from pixels; their deliberate artifice is the thrill, and Reiner provided the voice for their hideous snorts.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Definition of snort
Verb
  • Bake until the topping is dark golden brown and fruit juices are bubbling at the surface of the cobbler, about 1 hour 10 minutes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Return to medium-high heat, cover pan with a tight-fitting lid, and cook until mussels open and sauce is bubbling, 5–7 minutes.
    — Claire Wadsworth, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of bubble
Noun
  • Monica Bellucci’s sneer is a thing of wonder, so why have so few directors used it properly?
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The film’s sincerity — the quality critics praised most — was met with a sneer rather than a response.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026
Definition of sneer
Verb
  • In the intervening decades, various redevelopment gambits have fizzled.
    — JACK BROOK, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Back in April, the campaign by Third Way and some centrist Democrats to demand candidates stay away from Parker fizzled out.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fizzle
Noun
  • Orion gave a smirk and thumbs up to the camera while Keats made a funny face and stuck his tongue out.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
  • His trademark smirk and knowing stare are now feared by any opponent up against Norway, but don’t be fooled into thinking Haaland isn’t serious about his career.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of smirk
Verb
  • One displays images of water swishing around the screen’s golden frame.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Squirt some disinfectant into the bowl and swish it around with the toilet brush, then flush.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of swish
Noun
  • This is really a spot to escape for the weekend with your boo, or a couple of close friends who just want to veg out and drink and enjoy the scenery.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • After his second miss against the Commanders in last week’s preseason finale, Loop heard some boos at M&T Bank Stadium.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of boo

Browse Nearby Words

hirsute
hiss
hissed
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Cite this Entry

“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiss. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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