hiss 1 of 2

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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hiss

2 of 2

verb

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

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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
The hiss of our skis seemed louder and crisper with no one else around. Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026 Clearing right-of-way strips can result in the loss of trees and native vegetation; crackles, hisses and humming can be heard nearby especially during periods of high humidity; and farm fields and animal habitat can be affected by construction activities. Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Verb
Carrie’s voice hisses in my ear. Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026 The site, which bubbled and hissed for decades, is still called the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Quanta Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hiss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiss
Noun
  • Till the final whistle, or James’ final words, leaving Toyota Center on Friday with a controlling advantage en route to a potential second-round showdown with the defending champs, that desperation was evident.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The scrums and after-whistle activity that defined the first period of Game 2 and much of Game 1 simply were not there in Game 3, with the Lightning seemingly content to play between the whistles in an effort to avoid handing the Canadiens power plays in bunches.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • My wife, meanwhile, guards against the occasional loud snort with one of the oldest and most elegant anti-snoring technologies ever devised: earplugs.
    Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Soon come the snorts, the heavy body of a second hog tottering heavily from the hut.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Shades of purple and pink are also bubbling up.
    Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Doctors noted a crackling sound, suggesting gases bubbling out of his dying flesh, and some of the outer layers of skin were peeling off.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • While some celebrants have greeted these caricatures with cathartic jeers and sneers, others are shocked and outraged.
    Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026
  • From the sneer of Billy Idol to the smooth sashaying of Sade, the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees amplify the institution’s commitment to recognizing a diverse slate.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The offseason makeover that saw Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Díaz depart, and Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien and Devin Williams arrive has thus far fizzled.
    Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Jokic fizzled after a fast start, finishing the night with 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • For her part, the first lady nearly managed a smirk.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
  • In those heady decades of postmodern language-play and seductive irresolution, claims for literature as a force for truth and justice would likely be dismissed, with a smirk, as humanist pieties.
    Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Jokic swished a 29-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Denver a 60-51 halftime lead.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The crowd was scattered and some left early on the Monday evening, but fans still created plenty of noise when the Lynx swished home 3-pointers and made strong defensive plays.
    PJ Green April 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • As Houser walked off the field, a few restless fans tossed boos in Houser’s direction.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
  • And still, Goodell was greeted by a loud chorus of boos.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiss. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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