1
as in boiling
having a notably high temperature
in our air-conditioned office, we were oblivious to the searing heat outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in harsh
difficult to endure
the undersecretary looked chastened as he listened to the congressman's searing rebuke
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in drying
to make dry
the clear desert air is seared by the summer sun
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of searing
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
26 June 2026
For him, the pain was searing, but dissipated much more quickly.
—
Eva Flowe
june 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2026
Ellie Krieger,
Washington Post,
2 May 2026
Wherever creator Lee Sung Jin took the concept next, a bitter rivalry would presumably be its driving force, just as Wong and Yeun’s searing anti-platonic chemistry powered Season 1 through some tonal bumps and big swings.
—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for searing
Adjective
The big American studios and streamers were out in force this week by the French lakeside and in the searing heat.
—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
26 June 2026
For him, the pain was searing, but dissipated much more quickly.
—
Eva Flowe
june 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2026
Verb
Follow Ham El-Waylly’s lead by searing the fish in the skillet before finishing in the oven.
—
Ellie Krieger,
Washington Post,
2 May 2026
Wherever creator Lee Sung Jin took the concept next, a bitter rivalry would presumably be its driving force, just as Wong and Yeun’s searing anti-platonic chemistry powered Season 1 through some tonal bumps and big swings.
—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for searing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for searing
Adjective
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More humane methods of killing lobsters pre-boiling include a sharp knife through the head, electrical stunning, or freezing.
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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.
Adjective
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White settlers and frontier pioneers built vast, fenceless cattle stations, battling harsh environments and disease, embracing a hard-living culture that exists to this day.
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Dish Soap Using harsh chemicals on the outside of your toilet bowl and fixtures is not recommended, according to Meagher.
Verb
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If hearths had been built in the cave, underlying bones would have shown evidence of charring — but not a single bone out of the 4,500 studied was burned.
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That 18,379-acre fire burned for two weeks, largely charring grass over about a third of the island.
Verb
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Ensure the stain is fully gone before drying—once heat sets it in, removal becomes significantly harder.
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Keep a handful near your washing machine or drying rack for blouses, dresses, workout wear, or delicate pieces that should skip the dryer.
Adjective
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In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case.
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Some people drove or walked by, staring, and a video of the cross-burning gained traction online.
Adjective
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And Addy, perhaps the most brutal American Girl story, is enslaved.
-
In January, the government suppressed huge nationwide protests in a brutal crackdown that left thousands dead.
Verb
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Since Dylan’s death in 2011, hundreds more children in the UK have drowned seeking relief from scorching temperatures in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and quarries.
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The rest of the week will be scorching hot with highs reaching the upper 90s and 100s.
Adjective
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July 4th will be far hotter than normal for many and will follow several days in a row of intense heat.
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Be vigilant about never leaving young children and pets in vehicles without supervision, especially during periods of intense heat, as car interiors can quickly become extremely hot.
Cite this Entry
“Searing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/searing. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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