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
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Recent Examples of hiss
Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025
Besides the wind and the hiss of the dust, Lorenz says, there was a brief sound of a snap or crack in the middle of the encounter.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Jan. 2026
Squeeze the handle too lightly and the bottle would sputter and hiss but release nothing.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hiss
Noun
The clink of cutlery and the hiss of the grill, the clouds of steam rising off plates, the heady chaos that comes with a place of public convening, a destination as much as a place of transience.
—Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025
Besides the wind and the hiss of the dust, Lorenz says, there was a brief sound of a snap or crack in the middle of the encounter.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
The hissing noise tracked to his home office, where one wall felt particularly warm.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Jan. 2026
Squeeze the handle too lightly and the bottle would sputter and hiss but release nothing.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hiss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiss
Noun
-
Simu Liu is attached in the lead role of Brad Katsuyama, who blew the whistle on high-tech corruption in the financial industry, with Anthony Bregman set to produce.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The real strategic question is which companies will still be culturally relevant — and commercially advantaged — long after the final whistle.—
Christopher Vollmer,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Soon come the snorts, the heavy body of a second hog tottering heavily from the hut.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Jan. 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
Verb
-
There’s also bubbles (the champagne by the glass selection is excellent) and raclette cart service.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Other ingredients sit in a bubbling pot.—
Imelda García,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sure, the scatalogical title and prurient lyrics reflected the band's age — Armstrong was fresh out of his teens at the time — but its punk sneer was rooted in sophisticated songcraft.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The obsequiousness, the sneers, the boasting, the vacant generalities, and the hand-waving bespeak fear of departing from the Trumpian orthodoxy of the moment.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After incurring minimal costs, the Padres could release him if the experiment fizzles.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Even what seemed like major developments have sometimes fizzled out into the same waiting game.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And Nix, often with a smirk, will return the volley.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The bus drivers do nothing to enforce the rules, and we seniors are left trudging down the bus aisle while the people in the seats smirk, look at their phones and talk to each other.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Atwell took the pass and swished the 3 for a 66-64 lead.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Submerge the gloves and gently swish them around, avoiding scrubbing or twisting.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ultimately, the resolution passed, prompting vocal boos in the audience.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The night began with boisterous boos during the pregame introduction of a player who backed out on a deal to return to the Bears for his sophomore season.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiss. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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