whispering
Speaking without full voice
Whispering is speaking very softly, using breath rather than full voice.
The word extends to any quiet, rustling sound: the whispering of leaves, a whispering breeze.
Whispering also suggests secrecy or gossip—people whisper when they don't want to be overheard: There's been whispering about layoffs.
Soft, indistinct continuous sound
- susurrationSoft whispering noise
- sibilanceHissing quality in speech
- hushAbsence of sound
- breathAir taken in
undertone · soft-spoken · low · faint · breathy · hushed · muffled · inaudible
Meant to stay secret
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
conspiratorial · private · discreet · hushed · stealthy · concealed · cryptic · confession
Oral expression of language
- voiceSound from throat
- breathAir taken in
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
- articulationClear vocal expression
pronunciation · sotto voce · aside · hissing · sibilant · lips · ear · cupped hand
Sharing secrets trustingly
- tenderSoft or sore
- pillow talkIntimate conversation in bed
- endearmentsAffectionate words or phrases
- sweet nothingsAffectionate but meaningless utterances
lovers · bedside · close · personal · heartfelt · soothing · gentle · affectionate
murmur
Soft, indistinct continuous sound
- susurrationSoft whispering noise
- sibilanceHissing quality in speech
- hushAbsence of sound
breath · undertone · soft-spoken · low · faint · breathy · hushed · muffled · inaudible · barely audible
confidential
Meant to stay secret
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- furtiveSecretive and sly
surreptitious · conspiratorial · private · discreet · hushed · stealthy · concealed · cryptic · confession · plotting
speaking
Oral expression of language
articulation · pronunciation · sotto voce · aside · hissing · sibilant · lips · ear · cupped hand · leaning in
confiding
Sharing secrets trustingly
- tenderSoft or sore
- pillow talkIntimate conversation in bed
- endearmentsAffectionate words or phrases
sweet nothings · lovers · bedside · close · personal · heartfelt · soothing · gentle · affectionate · comforting
rustling
Soft crackling noise
trees · grass · reeds · branches · forest · woodland · swaying · stirring · sighing · zephyr
- communicatingtalking, speaking, telling, sharing, expressing
- gerundswalking, running, talking, eating, sleeping
- interactionstalking, sharing, greeting, helping, listening
- childhood secretssecret diaries, pinky promise, secret notes, coded messages, clubhouse
- couple intimacycuddling, kissing, hand holding, holding hands, hugging
- school mischiefspitballs, note passing, passing notes, cheating, copying
whisperingshouting
Vocally projecting loudly
yelling · screaming · roaring · bellowing · thundering
whisperingproclaiming
Announcing something formally
announcing · broadcasting · declaring · trumpeting · heralding
- whispering campaignSecretive spread of damaging rumors
- horse whisperingIntuitive equine behavioral work
- stage whisperingProjecting while seeming hushed
- whispering galleryCurved space carrying quiet sounds
- whispering galleriesSpaces where sounds travel far