boil over
verb
boiled over; boiling over; boils over
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.
Examples of boil over in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alleged criminal activity, including violence, drug issues, a deadly beating, and prostitution at Annie's, for decades boiled over to Cincinnati City Council in 2018.
—
David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2026
Tensions boiled over after the killings by federal agents of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, and Renee Nicole Good, a poet and mother of three.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
The Manhattan neighborhood had become more affluent, and tensions over how their building should be managed and how much residents should be expected to pay for upkeep boiled over between people who had lived there for years and newer neighbors.
—Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Add chicken stock and 2 1/2 teaspoons salt to mixture in pot; bring to a boil over high.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boil over
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David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2026
Tensions boiled over after the killings by federal agents of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, and Renee Nicole Good, a poet and mother of three.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
The Manhattan neighborhood had become more affluent, and tensions over how their building should be managed and how much residents should be expected to pay for upkeep boiled over between people who had lived there for years and newer neighbors.
—Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Add chicken stock and 2 1/2 teaspoons salt to mixture in pot; bring to a boil over high.
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boil over
Cite this Entry
“Boil over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boil%20over. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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