hisses 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in snorts
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

hisses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hiss
as in bubbles
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hisses
Noun
  • Mrtka was actively involved between the whistles and after the whistle, using his size to clear the net and get under opponents’ skin.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But while proper young ladies wearing proper dresses might be the dominant image that comes to mind for this genre, there’s much more immediate motivation that bubbles to the surface.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Otherwise, plan to clean the bottom of the oven anytime a dish bubbles over.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But when the vision quest fizzles out, many organizations are left with a colorful statement on their break room walls.
    Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Final tasks on each episode are always live, which can deliver mixed results when the action fizzles too quickly or the contestants don’t quite take to the task.
    Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Bolstered by horns, passionate guitar work from Brandon Hood, Tom Bukovac and Kris Donegan, as well as twinkling piano, this song sizzles with a sultry energy, while also showcasing Myers’s continually maturing sense of songcraft.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Pimentón or Spanish paprika), which sizzles in the hot butter, a game-changing method called blooming.
    Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Hisses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hisses. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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