1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of hiss
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
The first meeting resulted in a hiss from Miriam, but after a few days, the two are obsessed.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Sam Lipsyte, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Warning signs a skunk is ready to spray include jumping, stamping their front feet, arching their back, clicking teeth, and hissing.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hiss
Noun
That calmness, however, was soon overtaken by the kitchen, with the hiss of the pans, stir of the pots and sharp calls exchanged between cooks quickly filling the air, along with the sounds of an upbeat Peruvian song playing in the background.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
The first meeting resulted in a hiss from Miriam, but after a few days, the two are obsessed.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
My pal was in deep slumber, breathed through this kind of hissing accordion.
—Sam Lipsyte, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Warning signs a skunk is ready to spray include jumping, stamping their front feet, arching their back, clicking teeth, and hissing.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hiss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiss
Noun
-
The redshirt sophomore slowed up to force contact with a trailing Ewin near midcourt and later flung his body on Ewin’s screen for an offensive whistle.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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However, in hindsight, having a whistle—something Dyason never hikes without—would have been much more effective.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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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
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The page gave a deep snort, hocking a chartreuse wad against the root of the nightingale’s birch.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
19 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The underlying tension was bubbling up to the surface.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Remove the foil and continue to bake until the lasagna is tender all the way through when pierced with a knife, the cheese is bubbling and the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes more.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
McDonald’s is spreading a little festive sneer this holiday season with the release of a brand-new menu inspired by Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Nov. 2025
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Burnett tried several versions in a row: first deadpan, then with a sneer of sarcasm, pursing her lips in judgment.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But that possession fizzled quickly and the Lions scored last, winning the game on Bates’ 42-yard field goal as time expired.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Darnold is the only quarterback other than Tom Brady to lead consecutive 14-win seasons, but all those wins fizzled for Darnold in last year's first-round loss with Minnesota.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There was no wink, there was no smirk.—
Mike Miller,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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Fixed with a seemingly permanent half-smile — detractors called it a smirk — Cheney joked about his outsize reputation as a stealthy manipulator.—
Calvin Woodward,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The ball swished through the net at the buzzer.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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Soak the Garment Submerge the garment in the water and gently swish it to create suds.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Peek-a-boo bras that perk out of tops were all over last year’s red carpets.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
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Even if your boo won’t express it eloquently enough, know that these bestsellers will leave him grateful.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiss. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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