sweltering

adjective

swel·​ter·​ing ˈswel-t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce sweltering (audio)
: oppressively hot
swelteringly adverb

Examples of sweltering in a Sentence

the air conditioning was broken, and it was sweltering in the office
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.
On a sweltering July afternoon in Paris, the Breguet boutique on the Place Vendôme offers no refuge from the heat. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2025 An Arizona man who pleaded guilty to murder charges after leaving his 2-year-old daughter to die in a sweltering hot car for hours as temperatures climbed to 109 degrees Fahrenheit has killed himself, officials said Wednesday. Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025 Rows of men, women and children, sweat trickling down their faces in the sweltering tropical heat, stepped forward one by one. Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025 Farzam’s nonexistent fire department is listed online and in state records as being on North Imperial Avenue in El Centro, a sweltering desert community about 120 miles east of San Diego. Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sweltering

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweltering was in 1566

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sweltering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweltering. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

sweltering

adjective
swel·​ter·​ing
: very hot
swelteringly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sweltering

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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