hot water

noun

Synonyms of hot waternext
: a difficult or dangerous situation : trouble entry 1 sense 4
used with in or into
But this poor fellow was always getting into hot water, and if there was a wrong way of doing a thing, was sure to hit upon it.Richard Henry Dana, Jr.
In recent years, comedians have found themselves in hot water for making politically incorrect topics about everything from race to gender.James Hohmann

Examples of hot water 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.
Every day a nurse comes to tuck me in for a noontime rest with a hot water bottle. Jane Alexander, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 May 2026 There was a pool of hot water at the bottom, and McGarity spent four hours down there. Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 22 May 2026 No hot water was available at the cook’s line handwash sink. Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado may 22, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026 Benny-and-hot being served, a traditional Burnley drink of French liqueur Benedictine with hot water that was popularised by the east Lancashire soldiers returning from World War One. Andy Mitten, New York Times, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hot water

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hot water was in 1840

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hot water.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hot%20water. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

hot water

noun
: a distressing situation : trouble
in hot water for not doing my chores

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