boiling 1 of 2

Definition of boilingnext

boiling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of boil
1
2
as in stewing
to cook in a liquid heated to the point that it gives off steam boil the potatoes until they are tender before you try to mash them

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in swirling
to be in a state of violent rolling motion the sea boiled and frothed during the storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of boiling
Adjective
More humane methods of killing lobsters pre-boiling include a sharp knife through the head, electrical stunning, or freezing. semafor.com, 29 Dec. 2025 Agrawal and her team studied ionic liquids — salts that are liquid at sub-boiling temperatures (below 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 100 degrees Celsius) — as a potential hospitable environment for life. Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025 One idea is that about a million years after the Big Bang, the universe cooled and underwent a phase transition, an event similar to how boiling water turns liquid into gas. Yasemin Saplakoglu, Scientific American, 3 Mar. 2020 If candy is still stuck on, pour more boiling water over whatever hasn’t come clean. Washington Post, 3 Dec. 2019 The simplest fix could be as easy as boiling water—boil a medium-size pot once or twice per week, and pour down the drain. Country Living Staff, Country Living, 14 Oct. 2019 Although boiling water is always a set temperature, eggs coming from the fridge or countertop are not. Genevieve Ko, latimes.com, 18 June 2019 Organizers shared tips to help prevent the virus, which include washing hands with soap for more than 30 seconds, eating food that is thoroughly cooked and boiling water before drinking. Rachel Axon, USA TODAY Sports, 6 Feb. 2018
Verb
Water should be brought to a rolling boil and kept boiling for at least one minute before use. Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 1 July 2026 If the chart recommends precooking the veggies for grilling, bring a small amount of water to boiling in a saucepan. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2026 While the water is boiling, drain the tomatoes, saving the oil. Kate Williams, AJC.com, 29 June 2026 Banana peel tea, made by boiling clean banana peels with a sweet spice like cinnamon, is a social media hack for promoting a good night's sleep. Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 27 June 2026 Don’t Use The Oven Most canning recipes call for using a boiling water method or a pressure canner, depending on the acidity of the food being canned. Josh Miller, Southern Living, 26 June 2026 Here’s a look at the six hottest 2026 legislative races in Broward and Palm Beach counties, plus two that are simmering, but not yet boiling. Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2026 Giant factories vent massive amounts of boiling exhaust straight into the atmosphere. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026 When not displaying geyser-like activity, the pool was actively boiling. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boiling
Adjective
  • On Wednesday, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch outlined a slew of challenges facing the city this weekend, including huge Independence Day celebrations, a World Cup match and a searing heat wave.
    Jake Offenhartz, Fortune, 2 July 2026
  • What began as searing pain in one of his arms was now a relentless ache in his chest.
    Tara Bannow, STAT, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Reduce heat to low and cook (milk should be steaming or just barely simmering around edges of pan) 10 minutes.
    Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • Marylanders settled back for a steaming celebration of America’s 194th birthday today.
    Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • This idea’s been stewing in my brain ever since.
    Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026
  • Something about her kept stewing in my head.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • And across the almost-year since, speculation has been swirling.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 July 2026
  • The American great had just lost to France’s Harmony Tan in the first round of the grass court major and questions about her future were swirling around this leafy corner of London.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
  • Some people drove or walked by, staring, and a video of the cross-burning gained traction online.
    Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the jet stream — following the arc around the heat dome — is carrying wildfire smoke up north to Minnesota and the Upper Midwest from raging wildfires in Utah, Arizona and Colorado.
    Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • That's the word from fire officials across the nation during the heart of fireworks season, and especially out west, where wildfires are raging.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Putin said a task force was working to alleviate the issue, which has grown into a serious crisis as the Kremlin grapples with simmering discontent on a range of issues.
    Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 29 June 2026
  • Try simmering a cinnamon stick with your banana peel tea for an additional burst of flavor.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Ray continued his reinvention into a two-seam fastball pitcher, churning efficient contact outs and taking a shutout into the eighth inning before allowing an unearned run.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • With more shaking or churning, these grains grow and separate from the watery, naturally low-fat buttermilk.
    Rosemary Trout, Scientific American, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boiling. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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