sibilance

noun

sib·​i·​lance ˈsi-bə-lən(t)s How to pronounce sibilance (audio)
: a sibilant quality or sound

Examples of sibilance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Controls here are limited but do offer adjustments to sibilance, EQ, stereo width, and loudness. Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024 On the other side, there’s a high-pass (or low cut) filter for taming sibilance with a choice of 50Hz and 120Hz. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 In it, a man dressed as a proto-millennial female — hair in Hollywood waves, slight sibilance, exquisite vocal fry — delivered quick-cut punch lines in rapid succession. Alessandra Colaianni, STAT, 25 Nov. 2021 The highs are very detailed, and that makes for shiny cymbals and good sibilance. Christian De Looper, BGR, 21 June 2022 Meanwhile, the treble shone through clearly but never displayed signs of sibilance or appeared splashy. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 21 June 2022 Martín’s concerto opened with violins, violas and cellos softly drawing bows across their strings, producing a quiet sibilance. San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2022 Cymbals sound shimmery, while things like percussion and vocal sibilance are detailed and clear. Christian De Looper, BGR, 18 Feb. 2022 The balanced armature in the Solaris X is smaller than the driver in Campfire’s original Solaris IEM with a performance that extends high frequencies without sibilance or the fatigue caused by the distortion of upper frequencies. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 25 June 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sibilance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sibilance was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near sibilance

Cite this Entry

“Sibilance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sibilance. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

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