boil over

verb

boiled over; boiling over; boils over
Synonyms of boil overnext

intransitive verb

1
: to overflow while boiling
2
a
: to become violent or lose control because of anger
so frustrated he's ready to boil over
b
: to develop into something more violent
Their disagreement finally boiled over into a fight.
boilover noun

Examples of boil over in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Flagg’s frustrations boiled over early in the fourth quarter and he was issued the first technical foul of his NBA career. Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026 That concern boiled over this week when California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks urged low-polling candidates to drop out just days before Friday’s filing deadline — a move that drew swift backlash from rivals who accused party leaders of trying to push them out. Grace Hase, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026 Tensions boiled over in a second-round Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball tournament game between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026 On the other hand, their far more inefficient electrochemical distant cousin, the human body, generates enough heat to boil over 100 cups of tea daily and is literally just chillin'. Etiido Uko march 04, New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boil over

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of boil over was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boil over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boil%20over. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

boil over

verb
1
: to overflow while boiling
2
: to become so angry as to lose one's temper

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