boil

a small, inflamed swelling of the skin the dermatologist lanced the infected boil that had formed on the patient's neck Synonyms pock, fester, hickey, papule, pimple, pustule, whelk, zit [slang]Related Words blackhead, blister, milium, whitehead; bump, lump, protuberance; sore, wart, weal, welt

1 to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger she was boiling at the thought of her so-called best friend trying to steal her boyfriend Synonyms burn, foam, fume, rage, rankle, seethe, sizzle, steam, storm Related Words fulminate, rant, rave; smolder (or smoulder); bristle, flare (up), inflame (also enflame); chafe, fret, stew; agitate, convulse, roil, shake Phrases see red

2 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 Synonyms coddle, parboil, poach, simmer, stew Related Words scald; braise, fricassee, pressure-cook, smother, steam; reboil

3 to be in a state of violent rolling motion the sea boiled and frothed during the storm Synonyms seethe, churn, moil, roilRelated Words reel, spin, swirl, whirl; agitate, stirNear Antonyms abate, calm, subside