sweltering

1 of 2

adjective

swel·​ter·​ing ˈswel-t(ə-)riŋ 

: oppressively hot

swelteringly adverb

sweltering

2 of 2

present participle of swelter entry 1

Synonyms of sweltering

Adjective

• boiling
• searing
• hot
• burning
• molten

Examples of sweltering in a Sentence

Adjective

the air conditioning was broken, and it was sweltering in the office

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Typically, the sweltering season will prompt the Swedish singer-songwriter to do something new, like dye her hair black or switch up her personal style. — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

On a sweltering morning last June, House Speaker Jon Burns made an announcement to a tense and packed Capitol atrium. — AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Now, as weather shifts from the sweltering humidity of summer to crisp fall air, the boots are set to arrive just in time for the shift in seasons. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

So do the engine, the drivetrain, the burning tires and the sweltering track surface. — Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1566, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sweltering

• sheltering
• weltering

Kids Definition

sweltering

adjective

swel·​ter·​ing

: very hot

swelteringly adverb