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
His line drive hissed past a leaping Steffen for a 3-2 Miami lead. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026 Like the tongues of a multi-headed snake, the Trail of Tears hissed through Chattanooga, Northern Alabama, Western North Carolina, Middle Tennessee and up through Southern Illinois, down through Missouri, across Arkansas before stopping in what is now Eastern Oklahoma. Keith Sharon, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hiss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiss
Noun
  • Many of the league’s best players, in every major pro sports league, get a free pass more than others and a favorable whistle.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
  • Paige Ostroushko continued to follow her, blowing a whistle in her ear and pushing her, the lawsuit said.
    Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 8 May 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
  • Miriam’s bliss bubbled up, feathering her insides, shimmering around her baby, erupting from her throat in a giggle—a curious misplaced sound in that car.
    ‘Pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
  • The decision to withhold Golden Tempo comes amid bubbling conversations to tweak the Triple Crown race calendar.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 6 May 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
  • But the proceeding fizzled into a status conference because the Texas Third Court of Appeals late Wednesday approved an emergency motion by Jones’ lawyers that temporarily blocked the transfer of any Infowars assets.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Don’t worry, this idea fizzles out faster than their engagement, so thankfully, we won’t be subjected to Dennis with a mic in his face on this platform.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • An elderly man offered a smirk for his mugshot after being arrested in a caught-on-camera hit-and-run involving a cyclist group.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
  • The prospect of doing it again with even larger stakes brought an excited smirk to Smart’s face.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 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
  • He was pulled for lefty Tyler Samaniego and walked off the mound to loud boos from the Fenway Park crowd.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
  • Before the vote, loud boos resounded as House Republicans arrived and moved through a crowd of protesters from the elevator to the House chamber.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiss. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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