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

Jason was hissing fiercely; Gordon, who projects a monastic calm, was trying to reason with the mother while batting her back each time the flap swung open. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 Granny doesn’t discriminate, hissing invective at both Alice and Thya with equal venom. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hiss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiss

Noun

During Atletico’s season-opening draw to Villarreal on Sunday, he was booed and walked straight down the tunnel at the full-time whistle after a second-half cameo.

— Pol Ballús, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
When the final whistle ended, Messi and the rest of the men in pink trudged off the field and the silent, disappointed crowd headed to the parking lots and train station.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 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

California air regulators will start tracking estimates of the gases that bubble up from the state’s artificial reservoirs and contribute to climate change.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Think minimal yet colorful wallpaper, moody color palettes, canopy beds, and most importantly, that warm fuzzy feeling that just keeps bubbling up.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of bubble

Verb

Djokovic will have cheers about as loud as the ones that will be heard for the Americans Shelton and Fritz, the type of adulation that often fizzles before the ultimate prize.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Larry Wren, captain of The First Choice charter boat in Islamorada, has spent decades on the ocean and has seen lightning hit the water, fizzling the surface, oftentimes making the hair on the top of people’s head stand up.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of fizzle

Noun

Orion gave a smirk and thumbs up to the camera while Keats made a funny face and stuck his tongue out.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 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

Noun

Venomous boos greeted the announcement of his name among the Chelsea substitutes ahead of kick-off.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Freedom responded and stepped toward the floor, prompting security to intervene and usher the 11-year NBA veteran out as the Chicago crowd rained down boos.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of boo

Browse Nearby Words

hirsute

hiss

hissed

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Style

“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiss. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hiss

noun

verb

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