sizzle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sizzlenext
as in whistle
a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out there was a brief sizzle as the moth flew into the flame

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

sizzle

2 of 2

verb

ˈsi-zəl How to pronounce sizzle (audio)
1
as in to hiss
to make a sound like that of stretching out the speech sound \s\ from my bed I could hear the bacon sizzling in the frying pan

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger she was really sizzling about being passed over for the promotion, and nearly quit

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 sizzle
Noun
The sizzle of sausage on the grill is part of the soundtrack of summer. — C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 23 May 2026 The acoustic guitar sounds natural and crisp, and the cymbals have a fair amount of sizzle, especially for a speaker at this price point. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
Verb
Summers can sizzle around the New York City area, where the hottest normal high is 85 degrees in July. — Vanessa Murdock, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Gigi Hadid sizzled in an itty-bitty brown string bikini for a pool day with her daughter Khai, 5. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sizzle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sizzle
  1. whistle
  2. hiss
  3. steam
  4. fizz
  5. burn
  6. zip
  7. boil
  8. rage
Noun
  • That has been Jordan Phillips’ norm every time the whistle blow during practices, and the Miami Dolphins’ second-year nose tackle isn’t focused on impressing his new coaches.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
  • Nearly a century later in 1978, in the wake of the Watergate scandal, a second Civil Service Reform Act was passed providing further protections, including for whistle blowers.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of whistle
Verb
  • 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
Definition of hiss
Verb
  • The afterbirth hanging down from the cows, steaming in the cold spring air.
    — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026
  • Reduce heat to low and cook (milk should be steaming or just barely simmering around edges of pan) 10 minutes.
    — Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
Definition of steam
Noun
  • When it’s put in the oven, the fizz dissipates inside the batter and causes the center to cave in.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
  • Some other beverage brands are betting big on the swing away from fizz.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 24 May 2026
Definition of fizz
Verb
  • According to researchers, any toxic airborne chemicals would likely stem from the charred foam insulation, metal exterior, burned solar panels and any lithium batteries that might have been present inside the warehouse.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • In Los Angeles County, the fire department said a man was critically injured after a fire burned at least two cars in a parking lot in the Wilmington neighborhood on July 3.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of burn
Noun
  • Keep in the original packaging, but once opened, transfer to an airtight container or zip-top bag.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 6 July 2026
  • The internal zip pocket kept small valuables, such as my passport, Kindle, and lip balm, accessible without need for rummaging.
    — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 July 2026
Definition of zip
Verb
  • The river dropped 60 feet between boulders in a series of falls and continued downstream in a dangerous half mile of holes and boils.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
  • The only cooking required here is boiling the shrimp for a few minutes and toasting the buns.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026
Definition of boil
Verb
  • All eyes on jewelry As the jewelry supercycle rages on, the category is increasingly showing up during Couture Week.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026
  • Wildfires raging across Europe have killed hundreds of people over the last decade, and climate change is set to push the death toll even higher in the coming years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of rage

Browse Nearby Words

sizing up
sizzle
sizzled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sizzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sizzle. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sizzle

Nglish: Translation of sizzle for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulcrum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All