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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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
In Georgia, the Clayton County Water Authority briefly issued a boil-water advisory when it was targeted by hackers. — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 Continue to cook, while stirring, until the mixture comes to a low boil and thickens slightly. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
However, boiling water from a kettle poses potential damage to PVC pipe fittings and can create leaks that are considerably more expensive to fix than a clogged drain. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026 The water plant in Castleton-on-Hudson sustained damage during the flooding, leading to an advisory for local residents to boil their water and reduce water usage, officials said. — ABC News, 30 July 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
  • Ginn has been out since July 19 with a blister on his right middle finger.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Ginn was shut down from throwing while the blister healed, and is set to throw a bullpen Monday afternoon.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of blister
Verb
  • The series left Netflix at the end of June (A Year in the Life remains available there) and currently steams on Hulu and Prime Video.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes holding a dispenser over a steaming hot beverage can cause condensation to form around the pouring spout.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of steam
Verb
  • Idda takes an epic approach to unearthing the packed layers of a stewing friendship.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 21 July 2026
  • Roasting, stewing, baking—those are all great ways to make okra.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
Definition of stew
Verb
  • Participants will tackle a 5K trail run while churning their own ice cream.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The stock ran to a 52-week high of $219 but has spent the past several weeks churning in a range, unable to clear $218 on multiple attempts.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of churn
Noun
  • In animals, the bacterium causes pustules and lesions, predominantly in cattle, sheep, and horses.
    — Helen Branswell, STAT, 11 May 2026
  • In fact, one of the most common triggers of rosacea, which is characterized by flushing, swelling, spider veins, papules, and pustules, is exposure to sunlight.
    — Sherri Gordon, Health, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of pustule
Verb
  • Washoe County Sheriff's Office Now combined, the Fred Mountain Fire and the Bug Fire have burned more than 57,000 acres with no containment as of Tuesday night, according to fire officials.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • On the image-generation front, Google is burning tokens like never before.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • Price pressures persist Wednesday’s report also showed that some underlying price pressures continue to simmer.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The long-simmering feud between two former reality stars came to a boil during a joint podcast interview.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of simmer
Verb
  • Svelte white waitresses in generic Asian garb swirled around us.
    — Karan Mahajan, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Rumors swirled about Alito’s retirement plans after NPR published and then retracted an article by reporter Nina Totenberg that Alito would be retiring from his role on the bench at the end of the court’s 2025-26 term.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 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 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on boil

Nglish: Translation of boil for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boil

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