hiss 1 of 2

Definition of hissnext
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
Workers load stacks of textiles onto belts that move them through the scanner, which emits a sharp hiss while reading the textiles’ composition. Tian MacLeod Ji, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026 The sounds of a bustling cafe—the hiss of the espresso machine or the clinking of plates—are incredibly grounding and build a sensory connection with the viewer. Lisa Montenegro, Forbes.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
This might be as simple as a public argument – hissing whispers in an elevator. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 29 May 2026 Refn has made characters moving and speaking in a benzodiazepine fugue state — lines hissed out stiltedly into dead air, spoken like throwing stones down a well — his signature in recent films. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hiss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiss
Noun
  • As the halftime whistle blew, fans surely would have been thanking the gods for the respite, not from the heat, but rather the lack of any substantive action.
    Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • From the first whistle until fans exited the parking lots, Colombian supporters who descended upon Kansas City made quite a racket.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • On a night when Lee somehow turned a 73.2 mph snort into a home run, Chapman staged another losing battle while hoping for a conventional one.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • My wife, meanwhile, guards against the occasional loud snort with one of the oldest and most elegant anti-snoring technologies ever devised: earplugs.
    Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The clambake is ready when the clams have fully opened, the potatoes are tender, the broth is bubbling and the sausage is heated through.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Internal emails, group chat messages and meeting minutes obtained by the Miami Herald show the drama that’s been bubbling up in recent months, as county officials, developers and HOA board members have sparred over the future of the land.
    Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • With his rakish sneer and ruthlessly tight jodhpurs, Rupert has been thoroughly neutered with irony, transformed into an object for women to pick at.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
  • Of course, the prospect of one of the greatest women’s footballers in history skittering around Bromley on a Saturday lunchtime in front of a smattering of fans inevitably inspires sneers.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • But if the stock market rally that powers the divide fizzles out, the economy could take a significant beating.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
  • The rapper and business mogul was then named creative director of basketball for Puma in 2018, although the role seemingly fizzled out as he’s been spotted wearing sneakers from other brands for several years now.
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • There was a point in Patrick Paul’s ascension last season where his smirk, his hearty chuckles irritated, if not frustrated his opponents to the point of anger.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026
  • Michelle replied with a smirk and a nudge.
    Hannah Malach, InStyle, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • This was supposed to be magic, swished in from waaaaay downtown.
    Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026
  • Hilmon gave a contest from a distance, but Thornton swished a corner 3-pointer to open her night.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Throughout the game, seeing green shirts on the large screen triggered cheers through the crowd, while boos came up when yellow kits were displayed.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • Neither team has pressed forward with much conviction in the first 15 minutes, and after some back-and-forth passing on the back line of the Netherlands' defense, boos could be heard from restless spectators in Monterrey.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiss. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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