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.
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Recent Examples of hissing
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
Elsa Lanchester’s performance as the hissing, glamorous Bride — which was inspired, in part, by swans at the zoo — is fabulous as well, making a legendary impression with only seven minutes of screen time.
—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Steam was rising out of the hissing showers nearby, and there was Josh Allen slumped on a stool in front of his locker, looking like a club fighter from Jersey who had picked the wrong opponent for a payday.
—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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
Mature geese have kept a close eye on the eggs, occasionally honking and hissing at those who have approached.
—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
He was later woken up by a hissing sound and noticed a flame on the floor of his bedroom.
—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
This behavior may include stamping its feet, raising its tail, or hissing.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Growling, hissing and swiping, Scooter charged at a glass door, holding its ground as the bears lingered just outside.
—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Then there's hissing through the air vents.
—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
Elsa Lanchester’s performance as the hissing, glamorous Bride — which was inspired, in part, by swans at the zoo — is fabulous as well, making a legendary impression with only seven minutes of screen time.
—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Steam was rising out of the hissing showers nearby, and there was Josh Allen slumped on a stool in front of his locker, looking like a club fighter from Jersey who had picked the wrong opponent for a payday.
—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
Mature geese have kept a close eye on the eggs, occasionally honking and hissing at those who have approached.
—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
He was later woken up by a hissing sound and noticed a flame on the floor of his bedroom.
—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
This behavior may include stamping its feet, raising its tail, or hissing.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Growling, hissing and swiping, Scooter charged at a glass door, holding its ground as the bears lingered just outside.
—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Then there's hissing through the air vents.
—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hissing
Noun
-
The booing happened multiple times in the first half when the former Arsenal player touched the ball.
-
And Hinch was jeered again after Jones struck out, bookending the booing and showing Tigers fans are perturbed over the team’s downfall.
Verb
-
Just one week since launch, business is bubbling up organically.
-
But even with the multitude of quantum projects bubbling up around the country, those involved in the Connecticut effort are optimistic.
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.
-
Spray paint hisses and music envelops Amsterdam Avenue as Knicks colors cover the sidewalk.
Verb
-
In other words, avoid swishing seltzers in your mouth, drinking a lot of them or even sipping one throughout the day.
-
The Oregon Zoo’s official TikTok account posted footage of a bear swishing around in a tub filled with ice and water, rolling on his back and kicking his feet before shaking water off.
Noun
-
After the final whistle, instead of celebrating, the team circled up around phones awaiting the result of Spain’s faceoff with Uruguay.
-
The evidence was there before the first whistle.
Verb
-
Seasonal sprites flit and flutter, providing transitional scenes, hinting at mystical elements whizzing all around within this otherwise very human plot.
-
Passenger vehicles are whizzing by, some even cutting off the truck.
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.
-
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.
Noun
-
Roy interjected with the mischievous smirk typical of a younger brother trying to ruffle some feathers.
-
Her roundup began with a photo of a shadow holding a wine glass outdoors, followed by a selfie with a smirk.
Cite this Entry
“Hissing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hissing. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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