sibilance

noun

sib·​i·​lance ˈsi-bə-lən(t)s How to pronounce sibilance (audio)
: a sibilant quality or sound

Examples of sibilance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Finally, the treble was so smooth and restrained, never straying into sibilance or even a hint of distortion. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 What about sibilance processing or other dynamic compression? Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024 Controls here are limited but do offer adjustments to sibilance, EQ, stereo width, and loudness. Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024 On the other side, there’s a high-pass (or low cut) filter for taming sibilance with a choice of 50Hz and 120Hz. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 In it, a man dressed as a proto-millennial female — hair in Hollywood waves, slight sibilance, exquisite vocal fry — delivered quick-cut punch lines in rapid succession. Alessandra Colaianni, STAT, 25 Nov. 2021 The highs are very detailed, and that makes for shiny cymbals and good sibilance. Christian De Looper, BGR, 21 June 2022 Meanwhile, the treble shone through clearly but never displayed signs of sibilance or appeared splashy. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 21 June 2022 Martín’s concerto opened with violins, violas and cellos softly drawing bows across their strings, producing a quiet sibilance. San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sibilance was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near sibilance

Cite this Entry

“Sibilance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sibilance. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on sibilance

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!