hisses 1 of 2

Definition of hissesnext
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

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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

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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

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 hisses
Noun
Clearing right-of-way strips can result in the loss of trees and native vegetation; crackles, hisses and humming can be heard nearby especially during periods of high humidity; and farm fields and animal habitat can be affected by construction activities. Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Verb
In Whale’s picture, the bride doesn’t talk — only screams or hisses like an irritated cat — and is brought to life 5 minutes before the credits roll. Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026 If steam bubbles and hisses out of the end grain as the firewood heats up on the fire, the wood is wet or green and needs to be seasoned longer before burning. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hisses
Noun
  • While other animals such as rats and mice are also known to have laryngeal whistles, the study says that horses are believed to be the only animals known to combine the whistle with vocal fold vibrations to create a single, dual sound call.
    Kate Perez, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • 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
Verb
  • Spots for leisure are in no way hard to find; SEA is a stone's throw away from waterfront lounges like Kingfisher, which bubbles with live music, seafood, and a lively clientele, as well as new Italian spot Forno and art space Sachs Gallery.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Cook on a skillet over medium heat using butter or coconut oil and flip once bubbles form.
    Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Spray the interior of your air-fryer with white vinegar until the baking soda fizzes.
    Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 16 Jan. 2026
  • With a taste ''that'll last till Christmas,'' Mockolate fizzes and bubbles on your tongue (kinda like eating an Alka-Seltzer), then sort of crumbles into tiny pieces of, um, ''deliciousness'' in your mouth.
    Gretchen Hansen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • As rain from Tuesday night fizzles out, the Dallas-Fort Worth region can expect strong winds to rush in by Wednesday afternoon.
    Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Eaton fizzles out against Allen Eaton entered a Class 6A Division I regional semifinal contest against Allen, looking to make a regional final for the first time in program history.
    Charles Baggarly & Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Minutes later, some drift toward nearby food stalls, where oil sizzles and hot samosas and syrupy jalebis land on paper plates.
    Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Which creator couple has chemistry that sizzles off the screen?
    Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hisses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hisses. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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