hissing 1 of 2

noun

as in booing

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hissing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of hiss
as in bubbling
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 hissing
Noun
Fireworks might have additional whistling, crackling or hissing sounds. — Eva Flowe july 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026 Sure enough, all tires were up and there were no obvious punctures or hissing sounds. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 28 June 2026 Researchers have also looked into using Madagascar hissing cockroaches as an alternative to testing on mammals in certain fields. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 7 June 2026 There was no explosion, no frantic hissing, or toxic plume. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026 At one point, he was seen walking toward an SUV's rear passenger side tire when agents heard a pop and a loud hissing noise. — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026 Signs that a battery is about to fail include swelling, hissing, popping, an unusual odor and excessive heat, according to a New York Division of Homeland Security battery consumer guide. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026 And there’s a constant hissing noise around it. — JSTOR Daily, 25 Nov. 2025 Noise of trees crackling and sap hissing, branches thumping down, timber being dragged and chopped. — Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
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 Granny doesn’t discriminate, hissing invective at both Alice and Thya with equal venom. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 Then a hissing arrow pins a golden soccer ball to the Clash of Clans escutcheon. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026 There’s plenty of feline choreography, like crawling, meowing, and hissing. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2026 Louis let out a hissing breath. — Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026 However, some observers have reported hearing faint crackling or hissing noises during intense displays. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026 This might be as simple as a public argument – hissing whispers in an elevator. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hissing
  1. booing
  2. bubbling
  3. hiss
  4. swishing
  5. whistle
  6. whizzing
  7. sneer
  8. smirk
Noun
  • Also, the booing of every single hydration break has been surprisingly amusing every single time.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • The Aniya moment alone would have been enough to earn this couplet of episodes five stars, but the recoupling also included a group booing, another hair-raising, furious speech from Melanie, and a moving Brinity reunion.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of booing
Verb
  • In an alternate universe, one without the stakes and the frenzy bubbling in the distance, Skubal might have gone about things differently.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The Reflecting Pool turned green and pieces of the liner started bubbling up to the surface after it was painted last month.
    — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of bubbling
Noun
  • Up in the stands, fans waved their own flags — including some sneaked in over the objections of FIFA and the courts — and wrestled with emotions, as boos, howls and hisses rained down from all corners of the stadium.
    — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 16 June 2026
  • Spray paint hisses and music envelops Amsterdam Avenue as Knicks colors cover the sidewalk.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
Definition of hiss
Verb
  • Rinse the blueberries under cold running water, gently swishing them around with your hands to ensure all the berries are exposed to water.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026
  • The Western Ghats mountains tumble down the west coast of India like a breaking wave, swishing through six states and across nearly 1,000 miles.
    — Susan D'Arcy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 June 2026
Definition of swishing
Noun
  • The flight time is the same length as three full World Cup matches from kickoff to final whistle.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • But the government’s killings, torture, and abductions continued for years after the final whistle had blown.
    — Minky Worden, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of whistle
Verb
  • But in May, the Psyche spacecraft caught an unusual glimpse of Mars while performing a maneuver to harness the planet's gravity and send it whizzing beyond the planet toward the main asteroid belt.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 21 July 2026
  • The trouble was, the arrows kept multiplying—appearing from nowhere, whizzing in every direction—and even Larry couldn’t seem to contain them.
    — Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026
Definition of whizzing
Noun
  • The film’s sincerity — the quality critics praised most — was met with a sneer rather than a response.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of sneer
Noun
  • 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
  • Robinson appeared to furrow his brow and smirk as the text messages about the engravings were displayed in the courtroom.
    — Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of smirk

Browse Nearby Words

hissies
hissing
hissy
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Cite this Entry

“Hissing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hissing. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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