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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat, partially cover the pot, and simmer until the beans are tender—this can take anywhere from 40 minutes for smaller beans, like navy; to 2 hours for fat gigantes. — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026 Ever the flower child, Hoffs had a word with someone on the Dead tour, who invited the Bangles to the band’s crawfish boil that night. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
Workers cut it into smaller pieces, then boil it in water with washing soda to soften and separate the plant fibers. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026 These salts can withstand very high temperatures before boiling. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 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
  • Without hesitation, Gardner stepped in to help, despite the fact that the paint and adhesives made his body swell and blister the following day.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Right-hander Roki Sasaki is working back from a blister on his middle finger and is penciled in to return from the IL next week against the Padres.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of blister
Verb
  • Exhibiting a pile of hot, steaming garbage might have been more transgressive than showing these sculptures.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • In a crockery pot, my father steams cauliflower, stirring it round and round.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of steam
Verb
  • The easygoing Mexican brunch, lunch and dinner spot became a Wesley Heights favorite for its authentic tacos, frozen drinks and stewed pork shoulder pozole rojo served with hominy, shredded cabbage, onions and cilantro over fresh tostadas.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Others are stewed with aromatics and oil to make a riotous take on XO sauce, funky and inky and complex, which gilds the hunks of squash under their corny beurre blanc.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of stew
Verb
  • At the same time, younger members are more likely to sign up for their membership online, and online sign-ups tend to churn at a higher rate than those who sign up in the store.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Two other powerful storms were churning in the Atlantic Ocean but were not near land.
    — Eugene Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 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
  • This photograph shows a fire burning at the Dobrobut medical centre following a Russian aerial attack on Kyiv on 28 September 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Continue reading … CHIPS OFF THE TABLE — Former Obama aide says Democratic donors still feel burned, cautious after 2024.
    — , FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • The tension of wondering when they’ll be found out gives those films a simmering intensity.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
  • After decades of simmering issues, Piney Point spilled over into a problem that state and local leaders could no longer ignore.
    — Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of simmer
Verb
  • Now, questions are swirling around the agreement, including who will pay for the benefits and when residents would receive them.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Burnham’s comments come as questions about the incident – which triggered a major security response in the area and sparked international alarm – continue to swirl on both sides of the Atlantic.
    — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 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 2 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on boil

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boil

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