HISSES Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

hisses 1 of 2

noun

plural of hiss

as in whistles

a sound similar to the speech sound \s\ stretched out the hiss of air escaping from a balloon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 hisses

Noun

Spray paint hisses and music envelops Amsterdam Avenue as Knicks colors cover the sidewalk. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 13 June 2026 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 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

Carrie’s voice hisses in my ear. — Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026 Gaga hisses to her hair and makeup team after Priestly swans away. — Nigel Smith, PEOPLE, 2 May 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 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

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

Definition of whistles

Verb

Set the scene One of the very smartest hotel addresses in London, The Connaught Hotel’s energy crackles and fizzes from morning through night, with coming and goings, reunions, a hum of excitement and a permanent sense of occasion.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Our blind taste test deduced which flavored fizzes bubbled up to the top.

— Emily Heil, Washington Post, 15 May 2026

Definition of fizzes

Browse Nearby Words

hissed

hisses

hissies

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Style

“Hisses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hisses. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hisses

noun

verb

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