boil 1 of 2

noun

Definition of boilnext
as in blister
a small, inflamed swelling of the skin the dermatologist lanced the infected boil that had formed on the patient's neck

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boil

2 of 2

verb

ˈbȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce boil (audio)
1
as in to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger the passengers were boiling when they found out the flight was delayed yet again

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2
as in to stew
to cook in a liquid heated to the point that it gives off steam boil the potatoes until they are tender before you try to mash them

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3
as in to churn
to be in a state of violent rolling motion the sea boiled and frothed during the storm

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of boil
Noun
Induction stoves send energy to the pot bring water to a boil in half the time of what would be needed with a gas stove. — Molly McCrea, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Bring to a boil, skimming off any foam that forms on the surface. — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
In any office environment that can range from boiling to frigid, smart layering is an absolute necessity. — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2026 One simple way to deal with this type of clog is to boil water, then pour several cups down the drain. — Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boil
  1. blister
  2. steam
  3. stew
  4. churn
  5. pustule
  6. burn
  7. simmer
  8. swirl
Noun
  • There are no fist-pumping anthems, blister-raising leads or Homme’s cool-AF braggadocio at play here.
    — Jason Pettigrew, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Not every blister or color change indicates infection, so ask the treating clinician to assess unexpected symptoms.
    — Malana VanTyler, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of blister
Verb
  • Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani — steamed under a pastry crust and flavored with seasonings blended in India by Adi’s mother.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The best way to preserve the magnesium content in vegetables is to microwave or steam them.
    — Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of steam
Verb
  • Meanwhile, in the background, favorable sentiments about statement pieces have been stewing.
    — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Philadelphia is fresh off a one-point loss in the final seconds and spent their entire trip back from London stewing over it — while the Panthers enjoyed a bye week.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of stew
Verb
  • That churning could explain why classic models, which assume that the ISM is in a tranquil equilibrium, don’t quite seem to match reality.
    — Perri Thaler, Quanta Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
  • To make New York-style bagels like George’s, the dough is churned in a mixer, kneaded by hand, and cold-fermented.
    — HubSpot, HubSpot, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of churn
Noun
  • The infected children reported a range of skin and soft tissue symptoms, including spots, pustules, blisters, and abscesses.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • This causes small but often painful red pustules that cluster at the places where the hairstyle is pulling the tightest.
    — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of pustule
Verb
  • And, like the Raptor engines that power another SpaceX launcher, the giant Starship, Clydesdale will burn liquid oxygen and liquid methane, a combo known as methalox.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Residents evacuated as officials decided three days later to blow open five rail cars and burn the vinyl chloride inside.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • Sudan’s war began in April 2023, when simmering tensions between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in Khartoum and spread across the country.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Continue to simmer until the sauce has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes more.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of simmer
Verb
  • But up to this point, DIIV have endured—thrived, even—because of their refusal to capitulate to the industry winds that swirled around them.
    — Larry Fitzmaurice, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Conversations began to swirl in Newsom's circle following Tennessee’s botched execution of Christa Pike, The New York Times reported.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of swirl

Phrases Containing boil

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bohos
boil
boil down
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Cite this Entry

“Boil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boil. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boil

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