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
Or make a short walk to the spring boil to see more than 70 million gallons of water being pumped out daily. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026 Refueling on this scale has never been done before, and the company needs to get data on the efficiency of such transfers and the rate of boil-off of liquid oxygen and methane in space. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
A lot of uncertainty remains in the lift capacity of Starship, as well as in how much cryogenic methane and liquid oxygen will boil off in orbit and how efficient the process of transferring propellants from one ship to another will be. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026 Its stainless steel body can last for years of making pour-over coffee every morning or evening cups of hot tea, and the kettle also comes in handy to boil water fast for everyday recipes. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 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
  • The Paralympian developed a blister at the site of his amputation, which made movement painful.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2026
  • There are no fist-pumping anthems, blister-raising leads or Homme’s cool-AF braggadocio at play here.
    — Jason Pettigrew, SPIN, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of blister
Verb
  • These were extraordinary, the shrimp steamed until the meat, lightly perfumed with ginger, snapped under the tooth, and the pleated wrapper held the right amount of chew.
    — Christopher Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of steam
Verb
  • The Fighting Irish have had a couple weeks to stew over what happened at BYU and will take it out on an underperforming Navy defense.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, in the background, favorable sentiments about statement pieces have been stewing.
    — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of stew
Verb
  • As Election Day churned into the afternoon, some UCF students continued to have trouble voting at the on-campus precinct due to pre-registration issues.
    — Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Other videos and photos shared on social media showed people standing on a pedestrian bridge taking photos and videos as churning, brown waters rushed underneath.
    — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 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
  • Pre-soirée, however, Vogue couldn’t resist the chance to catch a private moment with Carey and ask her some of our burning questions.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Power lines, vehicles, machinery, burning of debris and campfires can spark fires year-round.
    — Virginia Iglesias, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • Add the cardamom and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb is completely broken down and the jam has thickened, about 25 minutes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • But Langley’s affection for his hometown hasn’t kept his company from drawing, even in Atlanta, the kinds of criticism over issues of privacy, mistakes and misuse that have been simmering nationwide.
    — Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of simmer
Verb
  • That said, why are there questions about Charles’ inheritance swirling?
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The predicates swirl around, occasionally repeating themselves, unsettled, inexhaustible.
    — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of swirl

Phrases Containing boil

Browse Nearby Words

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 8 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boil

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