eye-watering

adjective

eye-wa·​ter·​ing ˈī-ˌwȯ-tə-riŋ 

-ˌwä-

variants or less commonly eyewatering or eye watering

: causing the eyes to water

Those who suffer from allergies know the sometimes eye-watering effects of exposure to pollen or pet dander.

—Tanya A. Christian

This premium fire pit features smokeless technology for a more enjoyable outdoor fire experience without the eye-watering smoke.

—Christina Marfice

The spicy brown sauce is so hot it's eye-watering, but the dish bursts with fresh flavor.

—Heather Brannon

—often used figuratively to describe something extreme, excessive, intense, etc.

Television broadcast rights continue to fetch eye-watering sums …

—Leo Robson

Sleek boats, capable of eye-watering speeds …

—Pete Thomas

… the years of hard studying, internships and eyewatering debt required to emerge from college.

—Hugh Cameron

Examples of eye-watering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As more EVs enter the used car market, buyers with a budget of around $25,000 can now find newer electric SUVs that offer the benefits of gas-free motoring without the eye-watering price tags attached to many new electric vehicles. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

All-rights asking prices at that budget would have likely been record-breaking and eye-watering. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026

Elon Musk touted the deal as a sign of SpaceX’s strength, gliding over its eye-watering cost. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026

There were surprise performance by the Backstreet Boys, Hermès and Chanel handbags handed out as party favors, and cash prizes reaching an eye-watering $1 million. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above