as in sweat
a state of nervous or irritated concern
the set designer spent the entire week before opening night in a swelter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to melt
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swelter
Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
The fire comes as parts of the West Coast swelter under a heat wave.
—Jack Moore, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2025
Deanna Romano, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2026
People hired by the contractors wear extensive protective equipment in the sweltering humidity and must have their blood tested regularly for dioxin.
—Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelter
Noun
Its living room rapidly reached the swelter and volume of a blacksmith’s forge operating as a front for an unlicensed tavern.
—Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
The fire comes as parts of the West Coast swelter under a heat wave.
—Jack Moore, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
Avoid summer, which brings sweltering heat with little shade and peak accommodation prices, or winter, as many guesthouses close in December and January.
—Deanna Romano, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2026
People hired by the contractors wear extensive protective equipment in the sweltering humidity and must have their blood tested regularly for dioxin.
—Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelter
Noun
-
In the intimate snapshot, Steinfeld, clad in a bump-baring striped shirt and sweat shorts, peers at Allen over her mug.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Even without a major spill, everyday wear and tear including sweat, pets, and sticky fingers leaves its mark (or many marks) on the cotton, microfiber, leather, or other common couch upholstery facing daily use.—
Bridget Reed Morawski,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rising sea levels from melting ice submerged the passages.—
Ryan Brennan
April 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Microwave remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a microwave-safe bowl on HIGH until melted, about 20 seconds.—
Elizabeth Passarella,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cash in circulation surged 49% YoY due to panic hoarding.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In South Korea, where people have been panic-buying trash bags, the government has encouraged event organizers to minimize use of disposable items.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, it must be shielded from scorching sun.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The eruption did more than cool the skies and scorch an entire network of valleys.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Mar. 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
-
When the oil is shimmering, add the pork chops and cook until well browned, 2 to 4 minutes per side.—
Kate Williams,
AJC.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
British live-fire cook Genevieve Taylor didn’t start out romanticizing cooking over an open flame, with visions of industry cred or Michelin stars dancing in her head.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One is beautiful and famous the world over; the other is even more beautiful yet content not to have to put up with all the fuss and attention.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But the first phase of curbside construction isn’t expected to cause much fuss for drivers.—
Megan Rodriguez,
San Antonio Express-News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Arrange pork chops on top of vegetables and continue to roast until pork registers 145 degrees and vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through roasting.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Saturday’s second episode, for which ratings dipped slightly, featured a cold open roasting the former Prince Andrew and was ably steered by host Jamie Dornan, who appeared in sketches including a horror comedy about Jools Holland.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelter. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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