searing

adjective

sear·​ing ˈsir-iŋ 

1

: very hot

2

: marked by extreme intensity, harshness, or emotional power

searing pain

a searing review

a searing portrayal

searingly adverb

Synonyms of searing

• boiling
• burning
• hot
• molten

Examples of searing in a Sentence

the searing heat of the fire

She felt a searing pain in her foot.

She made a searing attack on her political enemies.

Recent Examples on the Web

The searing heat wave across Europe has driven the union to call for museums to close when temperatures reach 86 degrees Fahrenheit and to institute heat mitigation measures for back-of-house staff. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

The return journey sends whatever object (or whoever's on board) through our atmosphere at searing speeds and even more searing temperatures. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Parts of Europe will receive a brief respite from searing summer heat this week with the first solar eclipse in nearly three decades. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 10 Aug. 2026

For weeks before Arbeen, pilgrims set off on foot for Karbala, some carrying flags with images of Imam Hussein in the searing heat. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for searing

• cheering
• clearing
• earing
• earring
• fearing
• gearing
• hearing
• jeering
• leering
• nearing
• peering
• rearing