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
Those sizzle-reel highlights were absent from Elias Pettersson’s game last season. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The array of options that creators pursue is part of the sizzle of the sector and something that greatly appeals to brands. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
My current favorite combo is sausage and broccoli rabe; the fat from the sausage sizzles the pasta while the broccoli rabe adds a peppery bite. — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026 The offense was sizzling early on as the Americans hit 20 of their first 26 shots (77%), including five of six 3-point attempts to race to a 50-18 lead with 6 minutes left in the first half. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 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
  • Buzelis stepped on the line twice before shooting — and making — two separate 3-pointers, earning a whistle and a turnover.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But no whistle changes Reese’s four made baskets in two games.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of whistle
Verb
  • The sorghum hissed when the wind came through it—two years of drought had left the South Dakota ground hard and the dry grass loud.
    — Heide Brandes, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Andy the Alligator hisses, the sound provided by a recording of bacon frying in a pan.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of hiss
Verb
  • Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani — steamed under a pastry crust and flavored with seasonings blended in India by Adi’s mother.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The best way to preserve the magnesium content in vegetables is to microwave or steam them.
    — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of steam
Noun
  • Guests enjoyed dirty martinis, negronis, and grapefruit fizz while burger sliders and truffle toasties were passed around.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The effervescent fizz of Ocean’s Eleven came as a bit of a surprise at the time, though Soderbergh has since established himself as one of the most versatile filmmakers in modern movie history.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of fizz
Verb
  • And, like the Raptor engines that power another SpaceX launcher, the giant Starship, Clydesdale will burn liquid oxygen and liquid methane, a combo known as methalox.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Residents evacuated as officials decided three days later to blow open five rail cars and burn the vinyl chloride inside.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of burn
Noun
  • Officers cinched a plastic zip-tie around her wrists and led her away.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • This two-piece set pairs a classic full-zip jacket with matching pants in soft velour, giving you a coordinated fall outfit without having to figure out which pieces work together.
    — Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of zip
Verb
  • Plus, the sauce cooks while the pasta boils, putting this firmly in weeknight-dinner territory.
    — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026
  • A lot of uncertainty remains in the lift capacity of Starship, as well as in how much cryogenic methane and liquid oxygen will boil off in orbit and how efficient the process of transferring propellants from one ship to another will be.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of boil
Verb
  • There’s just enough teasing to allow the Elriel and the Gwynriel wars to keep raging for a few months.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Elsewhere, the war rages on A Russian drone strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight wounded five people, including a 4-year-old child, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 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 2 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of satiate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All