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

There’s a hiss, then steam rises up with nowhere to escape, filling the space. — Taylor Eisenhauer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026 He was shown a yellow card for excessive celebration, which drew loud boos and hisses from the fans. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2026

Verb

Scientists previously created tiny diving suits for Madagascar hissing cockroaches that could be used in perilous search operations, according to a study published in the journal Nature Communications. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 3 Sep. 2026 But delivering that level of craft in a high-octane room where the hissing espresso machine competes with the bassline? — Carly Boers, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hiss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hiss

Noun

Gabby Williams hopped off a double-decker bus and began dancing through the streets, blowing a whistle to the beat and slapping high-fives with fans all while keeping her WNBA Finals MVP trophy safely tucked in her left arm.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
In reply, Snyder blew his own bugle, a simple tubular plastic whistle.

— Rich LaRocco, Outdoor Life, 2 Nov. 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

Its beauty is only rivalled by the bubbling powder-blue domes of nearby Süleymaniye Mosque, constructed by Mimar Sinan, a contemporary of Michelangelo.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
Not only would this have led to liquid water covering much of the Martian surface, but when lava bubbled through the Martian crust and met groundwater, warm habitable niches ideal for microbial life could have been forged.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of bubble

Noun

Dylan’s sneer and Mick Ronson’s guitar jab like fingers in some intense argument, trying to win the pyrrhic victory of a lovers’ quarrel.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2026
Monica Bellucci’s sneer is a thing of wonder, so why have so few directors used it properly?

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of sneer

Verb

Those aspirations fizzled, however, as VinZant and the property owner could not come to an agreement on the concept, according to the city.

— Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026
Ultimately, filmmaker Richard Kelly’s narrative bursts fizzle into a confusing meltdown, but along the way, it’s stoked with enough wiggy comedy and incendiary situations to keep its target teen audience straight up and satisfied.

— Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of fizzle

Noun

But Florida’s Halloween nightmare keeps coming back wearing a red visor, flashing that devilish smirk and getting the last laugh.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026
The pair barely crack more than a perfunctory smirk, in stark contrast to the uproarious laughter emanating from Fielder’s laptop screen.

— Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of smirk

Verb

Some deer wag more than others, and whitetails will swish more at different times of year—for example, in summer and into early bow season, when pesky bugs hover.

— Tom Carpenter, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026
Alternatively, slice them crosswise and swish well in a bowl of cold water, then lift them out, leaving the dirt behind in the bowl.

— Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of swish

Noun

In general, this would be a cute time to take a honeymoon with your boo or bestie — really anyone important in your life who has been a meaningful part of your journey as of late.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
The shoes’ uppers are made from a semi-sheer mesh construction that gives a peek-a-boo glimpse at the feet.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of boo

Browse Nearby Words

hirsute

hiss

hissed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hiss. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hiss

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

wabi-sabi

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes