HISS Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

hiss 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hiss

as in whistle

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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

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

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 See All Example Sentences for hiss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiss

Noun

Blackburn said residents would set their time by the whistle.

— Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
More is surely going on, undetected or unreported, even as there has been a minor online symphony of whistle-blowing, alarm-bell tolling, and pleas for legislative action.

— Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of whistle

Noun

The class had been quiet after the camp text, but now there was at least one snort.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 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

Definition of snort

Verb

Top with the cheddar and return to the oven for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling around the edges.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Rate hikes, power outages and now data centers coming online that threaten to strain the electric grid have all bubbled over ahead of the midterm.

— Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of bubble

Verb

What rarely gets discussed is the operational work that determines whether a stunt like this converts into real revenue instead of just a viral moment that fizzles once the cameras leave.

— Agung Dwi Sandi, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Monday followed Friday's quarterly options expiration, which clearly left tactical traders underexposed to a rally driven by Meta and high-beta semiconductors, leading to a mad rush for quick call-option exposure, which could fizzle just as quickly.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of fizzle

Noun

Orion gave a smirk and thumbs up to the camera while Keats made a funny face and stuck his tongue out.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
His trademark smirk and knowing stare are now feared by any opponent up against Norway, but don’t be fooled into thinking Haaland isn’t serious about his career.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of smirk

Verb

But in his own drawing, De Kooning let rip with liner brushes, swishing them about all over the paper, achieving undulant lines that contract and expand like living creatures.

— Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026
One displays images of water swishing around the screen’s golden frame.

— Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of swish

Browse Nearby Words

hirsute

hiss

hissed

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Style

“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiss. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hiss

noun

verb

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