hiss

verb

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\ ˈhis

hissed; hissing; hisses

Definition of hiss

intransitive verb

: to make a sharp sibilant sound the crowd hissed in disapproval hissing steam

transitive verb

1 : to express disapproval of by hissing hissed the performers off the stage

2 : to utter or whisper angrily or threateningly and with a hiss

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Synonyms for hiss

Synonyms

Examples of hiss in a Sentence

The radiator hissed as it let off steam. The audience hissed him off the stage. “Leave me alone!” he hissed.

Recent Examples on the Web But imagine trying to plead your case before a judge while your phone cuts in and out, your kids wail in the background, or library patrons hiss shhhh. — Eric Scigliano, The Atlantic, "Zoom Court Is Changing How Justice Is Served," 13 Apr. 2021 Cordova-Rojas, who previously volunteered at the New York City Wild Bird Fund for five years, said swans are normally territorial and can hiss at or try to flee from people when threatened. — Alec Snyder, CNN, "New York City wildlife rehabilitator stumbles upon an injured swan, transporting it two hours across the city to safety," 12 Nov. 2020 When threatened, these wide-eyed critters will hiss and clasp their paws atop their heads, undulate like snakes, and suck up a mouthful of venom from glands in their armpits. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, "What Does a Study of Slow Lorises Actually Say About Cat Allergies?," 19 Feb. 2020 One painful memory of mine from the summer of 2018—of an encounter with a rabid harasser who hissed threatening insults at me at the San Francisco Airport—has returned to haunt me. — Jiwei Xiao, The New York Review of Books, "Fearing For My Mother in Wuhan, Facing a New Sinophobia in the US," 6 Apr. 2020 There was blood on the floor, the otter was hissing, and my daughter was screaming. — Kathy Leigh Berkowitz, USA TODAY, "Mom plays hero as otter attacks dog, bites girl in Florida home: 'Anything to save my kid'," 17 Feb. 2020 Some booed and hissed while others stood beside them and clapped because, well, capitalism. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Trump’s comeback-kid State of the Union address was designed to trap Democrats," 4 Feb. 2020 Throughout the address, Democrats booed and hissed. — Paul Cobler, Dallas News, "‘Appalling and shameful’: Rep. Kay Granger leads GOP effort to condemn Pelosi for tearing SOTU copy," 6 Feb. 2020 My concerns began when our cat started hissing at an empty corner. — Beth Spotswood, SFChronicle.com, "If you’re looking for ghosts, you might find them," 15 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hiss.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.