seared; searing; sears
1
a
: to cook the surface of quickly with intense heat
sear a steak
b
: to burn, scorch, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden application of intense heat
2
: to make withered and dry : parch
: to cause withering or drying
: the catch that holds the hammer of a gun's lock at cock or half cock
Examples of sear in a Sentence
Verb
The tree was seared by lightning.
The flames seared my skin.
The steak was seared over a hot grill.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2026
Start this asparagus in your air fryer before preparing and searing your fish filet and the two will be done at the same time.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
This method works particularly well for starchy potatoes like Yukon Golds and russets, which benefit from a quick sear to lock in their texture.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sear
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Verb
The visual is seared into his soul.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2026
Start this asparagus in your air fryer before preparing and searing your fish filet and the two will be done at the same time.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
The cooking of the steaks has evolved to the reverse-sear method; that starts in a low-temp oven and ends in the stovetop pan.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
This method works particularly well for starchy potatoes like Yukon Golds and russets, which benefit from a quick sear to lock in their texture.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sear
Cite this Entry
“Sear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sear. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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