Synonyms of hiss

hiss 1 of 2

noun

1

as in whistle

a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out

the hiss of air escaping from a balloon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• whistle
• zip
• sizzle
• fizz
• swish
• whoosh
• swoosh
• whiz
• whish
• wheeze
• sibilance
• sibilant

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

• snort
• sneer
• smirk
• boo
• jeer
• snicker
• raspberry
• hoot
• bird
• whistle
• razz
• Bronx cheer
• taunt
• catcall
• snigger
• gibe
• put-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cheer
• applause
• clapping

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

• bubble
• whistle
• fizzle
• swish
• sizzle
• fizz
• whiz
• wheeze
• hum
• whoosh
• buzz
• whish
• zip
• swoosh
• effervesce
• drone

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hiss

Noun

Spray paint hisses and music envelops Amsterdam Avenue as Knicks colors cover the sidewalk. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 June 2026

Apple's implementation is natural and consistent, without the hiss introduced by Bose and Sony. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2026

Verb

The complete assembly weighs just enough for the Madagascar hissing cockroach, a species favored for cyborg research because of its large size, robustness, and wingless body, to carry without significantly impairing its movement. — New Atlas, 18 July 2026

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