sultry

adjective sul·try \ ˈsəl-trē \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Examples: sultry in a Sentence

Definition of sultry

sultrier; sultriest

1 a : very hot and humid : sweltering

a sultry day

b : burning hot : torrid

a sultry sun

2 a : hot with passion or anger

b : exciting or capable of exciting strong sexual desire

sultry glances

—

sultrily

play \ˈsəl-trə-lē\ adverb

—

sultriness

play \ˈsəl-trē-nəs\ noun

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Examples of sultry in a Sentence

In the one Manet Stephen owned, Young Woman Reclining in Spanish Costume (1862–1863), the plump young model provokes us with her sultry gaze, her awkward semi-recumbent position, her casually defiant cross-dressing in a male torero's shiny trousers, and the come-hither implication of her highlighted hands … —John Updike, New York Review of Books, 5 Oct. 2006
As the fireflies entertain humans all summer long with a magical light show, they are actually cruising the sultry nights in search of love. "Male fireflies fly around flashing their advertisement," says evolutionary ecologist Sara Lewis of Tufts, one of the authors of the study, which appeared in the journal Science recently. —Betsy Mason, Orlando Sentinel, 22 July 2001
In an age when the gangsta rapper is king and pubescent boy and girl groups rule the charts with a tough … version of adolescent bubble-gum pop, Toni Braxton is an anomaly. Her sultry good looks, rich, husky contralto and ability to deliver a line with such mature conviction make her seem older, more experienced than her 26 years. —Gordon Chambers, Essence, April 1994
She looked at him with a sultry glance.
an actress with a sultry voice

Recent Examples of sultry from the Web

The angular funk and sultry pop of the veteran Austin, Texas, band matched the blazing conditions.

— bill brownlee, kansascity, "Middle of the Map opening night: a few setbacks, a sultry show from Spoon," 30 June 2018
Last night, Orlando Bloom posted a promo video for his upcoming theater show, Killer Joe, on Instagram, and Perry left a sultry message about his backside as a comment on the photo.

— alex warner, Marie Claire, "Katy Perry Just Complimented Orlando Bloom's Ass on Instagram," 1 June 2018
The same proves true for Carmen Jones, a sultry tale of passion and violence fleshed out of the bones of a hot-blooded opera.

— david rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Carmen Jones': Theater Review," 28 June 2018
In the hot and sultry northwest corner of Louisiana, near the small town of Keithville, is Chimp Haven, 200 acres of salvation and a little bit of heaven for more than 250 chimpanzees.

— rick kogan, chicagotribune.com, "Lincoln Park Zoo partners with Chimp Haven — a place where chimps can get out of their lab cages and live free," 21 June 2018
Not only did the beat work seamlessly with his own song, but his voice also worked perfectly with the sultry track.

— taylor weatherby, Billboard, "The 15 Best Moments From CMA Fest 2018 Day 1," 8 June 2018
The top’s crisp collar and slightly monastic shoulder treatment made a prim first impression, while a décolletage-baring keyhole and corset construction lent a sultry element.

— edward barsamian, Vogue, "Bella Hadid Takes Cannes By Storm in Naughty-But-Nice Off-Duty Style," 15 May 2018
The duo’s sound combines sparse electronic beats with sultry vocals.

— bethany ao, Philly.com, "7 days of things to do in Philadelphia from May 6 to 12," 3 May 2018
Savor the essence of Spain with dishes like chicken and chorizo paella, or sip on cocktails like the Spanish Mistress, made with rum, chili peppers and passion fruit in the sultry evening breeze.

— rianne coale, RedEye Chicago, "5 things to do in Chicago this weekend," 25 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sultry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.