1
as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result
save your sweat: no one will appreciate your efforts anyway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in labor
very hard or unpleasant work
it took years of sweat to bring the farm to the point where it is now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fear
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
my boss told me not to get in a sweat about the accident—she'd make sure I wasn't blamed for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in huff
a state of nervous or irritated concern
he always ends up in a sweat during tax season
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to struggle
to devote serious and sustained effort
spent the afternoon sweating over her tax returns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety
don't sweat over getting the application in a day late, as it probably doesn't matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to drip
to flow forth slowly through small openings
the oil coat may sweat through this varnish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to interrogate
slang
to put a series of questions to
the narcotics squad tried sweating the mule, but he was genuinely clueless about the inner workings of the drug operation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 sweat
Lindsey Desoto, Health, 14 May 2026
High humidity reduces the evaporation of sweat, limiting the body’s primary cooling mechanism – that is why WBGT is important.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
Because of his accident, Francesco developed various skin conditions such as the inability to sweat, rosacea, eczema and hypersensitivity to ingredients.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sweat
Noun
Sodium is the main electrolyte lost in sweat, so heavy sweaters may need a pinch of salt or a higher-sodium option.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 14 May 2026
High humidity reduces the evaporation of sweat, limiting the body’s primary cooling mechanism – that is why WBGT is important.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Verb
Maggie looked to the left of the platform where the Artist’s assistant sat at a small table, each remaining fruit sweating on a silver supply tray before her.
—Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
Because of his accident, Francesco developed various skin conditions such as the inability to sweat, rosacea, eczema and hypersensitivity to ingredients.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sweat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweat
Noun
-
Eco effort The most impressive part of the property is its lush landscaping.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Fox’s efforts to cater to a digitally savvy cohort to boost the fortunes of its news operations will no doubt be watched by other mainstream TV-news outlets.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Their profession alchemizes money and labor into art, then back to money.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
The final scene shows Kaleb driving a combine harvester, and radioing Clarkson to tell him that his partner, Taya, has gone into labor with his third child.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Renter Mandy Feng, who prefers to use a pseudonym for fear of being seen criticizing the authorities, said the stimulus the government is offering has failed to offset people’s anxiety over an uncertain economic outlook.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
China's exports gathered pace in April as factories scrambled to meet surging overseas demand from foreign buyers stockpiling goods as the Iran fanned fears of higher input costs.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.—
Sarah Grant,
New Yorker,
2 Feb. 2026
-
David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The two finished atop a crowded field that also featured Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who both struggled to break through in a GOP contest overshadowed by the feud between the two front-runners.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
-
Mergers might encourage other states to offer similar programs as a way of funnelling more students into struggling four-year campuses.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Yet with the tool’s skyrocketing popularity, some experts worry about potential hallucinations or incomplete answers, the potential for doctors’ critical thinking skills to erode and more.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
-
No need to worry about fitting them in your personal item either, as most of their products can be easily stored in accompanying travel bags or deflated to take up less room.—
Jamie Spain,
Condé Nast Traveler,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The pop superstar, 36, stepped out for a wedding dripping in recognizable jewels once owned by one of her latest album's muses, Elizabeth Taylor, while heading to Honey's cocktail bar with her fiancé, Travis Kelce, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Saturday, May 16.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
-
Check for plumbing leaks, overflowing HVAC drip pans and foundation cracks that allow water or humidity inside, and fix the problem to prevent future moisture issues.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Employing a cast of non-professional locals, the film playfully interrogates the brutal but bungled occupation while also allowing its actors — many of whom are descendants of the fascists’ victims — to reinterpret and reclaim a chapter in their city’s past.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
Later, people tell me that the police interrogated her like a potential suspect—not harshly, just because of standard procedure.—
Akash Kapur,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sweat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweat. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
