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
The tension between the two boils over into a confrontation which only Eisenhower can adjudicate, a task complicated by his own arrogant British subordinate, a wiry and dislikable General Bernard Montgomery - played with a villainous verve bordering on the pantomime by Damian Lewis.
—
Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 29 May 2026
The meeting was ultimately cut short as tensions boiled over and shouting matches erupted, leading police to clear the city chambers and bar residents from reentering.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Kickoff time frustrations have more routinely boiled over as the networks exercise their contractual power to optimize the football schedule for their interests.
—David Ubben, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Two adults and three juveniles were arrested after fights involving students at a high school in West Haven allegedly boiled over into a dispute with some of their parents.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for boil over
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Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 29 May 2026
The meeting was ultimately cut short as tensions boiled over and shouting matches erupted, leading police to clear the city chambers and bar residents from reentering.
—Victoria Le, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Kickoff time frustrations have more routinely boiled over as the networks exercise their contractual power to optimize the football schedule for their interests.
—David Ubben, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Two adults and three juveniles were arrested after fights involving students at a high school in West Haven allegedly boiled over into a dispute with some of their parents.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 May 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 31 May. 2026.
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