sweltering

1 of 2

adjective

swel·​ter·​ing ˈswel-t(ə-)riŋ 

: oppressively hot

swelteringly adverb

sweltering

2 of 2

present participle of swelter entry 1

Synonyms of sweltering

Adjective

• boiling
• searing
• hot
• burning
• molten

Examples of sweltering in a Sentence

Adjective

the air conditioning was broken, and it was sweltering in the office

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The fleeting time in Georgia between the sweltering summer heat and damp winter chill has finally arrived, featuring cool mornings, warm evenings and trees dappled with orange leaves. — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026

On a sweltering afternoon last month, Reuben Neri Cardenas swept the front of his Bakersfield business on an otherwise quiet downtown block. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

In 2003, the bodies of 19 migrants were found in a sweltering truck southeast of San Antonio. — Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Despite sweltering conditions, Oslon not only managed to win the race, but was only two minutes off the course record. — Daniel Varghese, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1566, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sweltering

• sheltering
• weltering

Kids Definition

sweltering

adjective

swel·​ter·​ing

: very hot

swelteringly adverb