searing

1 of 2

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

searing

2 of 2

present participle of sear entry 1

Synonyms of searing

Adjective

• boiling
• burning
• hot
• molten

Examples of searing in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

The rolling mountain landscape becomes an undulating patchwork quilt of searing scarlets, terracottas, vermillions, and more. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

Once the film was released, critics widely praised Page’s searing performance as the doomed Greek soldier Sinon, and even some of Page’s detractors online were won over by his work. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Now this memoir expands on her searing story of sisterhood, grief and the opioid crisis. — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Under the searing desert sun, Max Wilson watched water flow through a canal in north Phoenix. — Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for searing

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