swelter

1 of 2

verb

swel·​ter ˈswel-tər 

sweltered; sweltering ˈswel-t(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to suffer, sweat, or be faint from heat

2

: to become exceedingly hot

in summer, the place swelters

transitive verb

1

: to oppress with heat

2

archaic : exude

Sweltered venom …

—William Shakespeare

swelter

2 of 2

noun

1

: a state of oppressive heat

2

: welter

3

: an excited or overwrought state of mind : sweat

in a swelter

Synonyms of swelter

Noun

• sweat
• panic
• huff
• fuss

Examples of swelter in a Sentence

Verb

We were sweltering in the summer heat.

Noun

the set designer spent the entire week before opening night in a swelter

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This linen tank top is ideal for throwing on with a pair of Bermuda shorts or matching linen pants during sweltering heat for a breathable outfit. —Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2026

The Organic Cotton Gauze Straight-Leg Pants from Quince remedy all of my woes, and right in time for sweltering summer weather, too. —Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 1 June 2026

Noun

The effort in the Paris swelter appeared to drain him and contribute to a lackluster showing against Flavio Cobolli of Italy, who beat him in three sets. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 May 2026

Temperature records are being smashed across Europe as parts of the continent swelter in a heat wave that is bringing extreme temperatures alarmingly early in the year. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sweltren, frequentative of swelten to die, be overcome by heat, from Old English sweltan to die; akin to Goth swiltan to die

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for swelter

• belter
• melter
• shelter
• skelter
• smelter
• spelter
• welter

Kids Definition

swelter

1 of 2 verb

swel·​ter ˈswel-tər 

sweltered; sweltering -t(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to suffer, sweat, or be faint from heat

2

: to overcome with heat

swelter

2 of 2 noun

: a state of great heat