hissed; hissing; hisses
: to make a sharp sibilant sound
the crowd hissed in disapproval
hissing steam
1
: to express disapproval of by hissing
hissed the performers off the stage
2
: to utter or whisper angrily or threateningly and with a hiss
hiss
noun
hisser
noun
Examples of hiss in a Sentence
The radiator hissed as it let off steam.
The audience hissed him off the stage.
“Leave me alone!” he hissed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Discussion over the bill halted as a group of around 200 gun-reform advocates voiced their opposition in the Senate gallery, holding signs and snapping their fingers in support or hissing in dissent as Senators debated the bill.
—
Rachel Wegner, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Some cicada species make hissing or clicking sounds when handled or disturbed, as a warning signal to potential predators.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
The sounds of bones crunching and hot blood hissing onto white snow; the claustrophobia of being buried in an avalanche in real time; a pallid, emaciated hand reaching into a pile of bones to pick the last meat off a friend’s ribs.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2024
Hydrogen gas hissed through the breaches and drifted up to the top of the building.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2011
See all Example Sentences for hiss 
Rachel Wegner, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
Some cicada species make hissing or clicking sounds when handled or disturbed, as a warning signal to potential predators.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
The sounds of bones crunching and hot blood hissing onto white snow; the claustrophobia of being buried in an avalanche in real time; a pallid, emaciated hand reaching into a pile of bones to pick the last meat off a friend’s ribs.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2024
Hydrogen gas hissed through the breaches and drifted up to the top of the building.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2011
See all Example Sentences for hiss
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hiss.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Hiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hiss. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hiss
verb
: to make a long sharp sound like that of the speech sound \s\ or that made by an alarmed animal (as a snake or cat) usually as a sign of disapproval
hissed them off the stage
hiss
noun
hisser
noun
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