HISS Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

hiss 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hiss

as in whistle

a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the hiss of air escaping from a balloon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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

Granny doesn’t discriminate, hissing invective at both Alice and Thya with equal venom. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 Then a hissing arrow pins a golden soccer ball to the Clash of Clans escutcheon. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hiss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiss

Noun

In the dying stages of the game, Messi hit each post in quick succession and then had a goal ruled out for offside before the full-time whistle sounded.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Berwick recalls an employee sending her a video of someone projecting a Knicks finals game on the side of a New York City building and then, after the final whistle, immediately pivoting to a Summer House reunion episode.

— Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 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

The generational tension has been bubbling for years, including in the housing market, where high mortgage rates and home prices have locked out many younger families.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the top layer is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

— Terrence Hayes, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of bubble

Noun

Orlando Bloom flashes a shirtless smirk while on vacation in Marmi, Italy on July 26.

— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 July 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

Waiters swished past with little pots of lemon sorbet and glasses of Sprankel, a sparkling wine from Babylonstoren, Roos and Bekker’s farm and hotel in South Africa’s Franschhoek wine valley.

— Mary Holland, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026
Rinse the blueberries under cold running water, gently swishing them around with your hands to ensure all the berries are exposed to water.

— Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026

Definition of swish

Noun

Despite a contentious meeting two weeks ago, which included boos from the crowd and concerns about shrinking cash reserves from board members, Plascencia said teamwork became the theme among the administration, union leaders and employees.

— Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Eventually, Guccione turned back on his stadium microphone and announced the run would count, leading to further boos.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of boo

Browse Nearby Words

hirsute

hiss

hissed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiss. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hiss

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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