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

Across 17 tracks, guitar riffs curdle into sheets of distortion, melodies dissolve into electronic hiss, and grooves are chronically interrupted by fresh rhythmic detours. — Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026

Up in the stands, fans waved their own flags — including some sneaked in over the objections of FIFA and the courts — and wrestled with emotions, as boos, howls and hisses rained down from all corners of the stadium. — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 16 June 2026

Verb

Wynn said the alligator started to get agitated and even opened its mouth and hissed at her. — Steven Yablonski, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

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