hiss 1 of 2

1
as in whistle
a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the hiss of air escaping from a balloon

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hiss

2 of 2

verb

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

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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
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
Cats may stare at a certain spot in the room, or walk in to the room and start hissing for no apparent reason. Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025 Contractors working on a sewer project on the 4600 block of 10th Avenue at Stockton Boulevard reported hearing a hissing sound coming from a 2-inch gas line, according to authorities. Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hiss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiss
Noun
  • After the final whistle blew at Memorial Stadium, Kiffin made some headlines for his postgame behavior toward an Oklahoma player.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The fan, wearing a purple sweatshirt, ran onto the court after a whistle and headed straight toward Mitchell with a phone in his hand.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The upgraded exhaust system is a delight, burbling happily at idle, accompanying acceleration with a happy snort.
    Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Rapace’s response externalizes four different beats, from a snort to a tear, astonishment to anger.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • What epic tales might try to picture the explosion of the supervolcano in the Rocky Mountains and the gigantic crater lake of bubbling acid that eons ago swallowed places called Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Bake in preheated oven until apples are tender and filling is bubbling, 45 to 50 minutes, covering edges with foil as needed to prevent any overbrowning.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Alijah Martin, the Raptors rookie on a two-way contract who was not active for the game, wore a white Blue Jays jersey underneath his zip-up with a new Jays cap.
    Eric Koreen, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • From a wildly popular $12 hoodie with more than 117,000 five-star ratings to various zip-up and crewneck styles, these sweatshirts offer endless outfit possibilities — whether styled with jeans or joggers or layered under a jacket.
    Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Anderson plunges the audience into the rebels’ point of view, immersing us in the recalcitrant pride and swagger of Perfidia Beverly Hills, a revolutionary leader played by Teyana Taylor with a hypnotic sneer of defiance.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Jacob sneers, but doesn’t even wait for his son to answer.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But then Miami fizzled and was stunningly eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
  • His concerns have only grown since Israel and the United States carried out strikes in Iran in June, targeting its nuclear program, and as diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran have fizzled, entrenching sanctions further.
    Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That comment and a smirk from Holly pushed her over the edge.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • As Hedda battles with herself, there’s a rage simmering underneath every smirk and every one of her bleak and destructive actions.
    Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Dresses swished and dress shoes clacked against the floor as couples danced for bragging rights in one of the biggest celebrations of Black culture in KC.
    Alexa Stone Updated October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Fill a bowl or sink with water, add a drop of fabric softener, and swish it around.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiss. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

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