searing

adjective

sear·​ing ˈsir-iŋ 

1

: very hot

2

: marked by extreme intensity, harshness, or emotional power

searing pain

a searing review

a searing portrayal

searingly adverb

Synonyms of searing

• boiling
• burning
• hot
• molten

Examples of searing in a Sentence

the searing heat of the fire

She felt a searing pain in her foot.

She made a searing attack on her political enemies.

Recent Examples on the Web

The show’s joys come from its frenetic nature, with some of Sondheim’s most masterful work tucked inside of Lapine’s searing insights about art and longing. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

Those same catalysts contributed to the searing inflation that drove the Consumer Price Index to a 40-year high in 2022. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Jafar Panahi’s searing (and often funny) social critique of authoritarianism did not fare well on the Oscar or BAFTA early lists. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Spread of ‘peace’ rhetoric Today’s dizzying clashes in word and deed are illuminated by Calgacus’ searing words, which show how easily the rhetoric of peace can be used to cover for or distract from acts of war. —Timothy Joseph, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for searing

• cheering
• clearing
• earing
• earring
• fearing
• gearing
• hearing
• jeering
• leering
• nearing
• peering
• rearing