Sibilance

Sibilance refers to a hissing sound, particularly the sound of an 's' or a similar consonant like 'sh' or 'z'. It often evokes a sense of whispering, secrecy, or stealth, but can also indicate annoyance or disapproval depending on its context. In poetry and literature, sibilance is a stylistic device achieved through the deliberate repetition of these soft consonant sounds to create a specific auditory effect or to emphasize certain words and phrases. The sound is often described as light and airy, yet capable of producing a forceful impact.

Sibilance meaning with examples

• The gentle breeze rustled through the tall grass, creating a subtle sibilance that filled the quiet meadow. It sounded like the secrets of nature being whispered from ear to ear.
• In her poem, the poet used sibilance like 'silken shadows slip softly' to evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue, drawing the reader deeper into the story’s twilight.
• The snake's presence was announced with a low, menacing sibilance, immediately creating tension and alerting the characters to the danger that lay just beyond the tall grass.
• The old man's frustrated sighs and the repeated sibilance of the 'ss' sounds when he muttered 'stop this senseless silly struggle!' expressed both his annoyance and the gravity of the situation