as in searing
having a notably high temperature
it was boiling in that car, and the owners had foolishly left their pet in it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in steaming
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
the passengers were boiling when they found out the flight was delayed yet again
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in stewing
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 & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of boiling
Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
One idea is that about a million years after the Big Bang, the universe cooled and underwent a phase transition, an event similar to how boiling water turns liquid into gas.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Scientific American, 3 Mar. 2020
If candy is still stuck on, pour more boiling water over whatever hasn’t come clean.
—Washington Post, 3 Dec. 2019
The simplest fix could be as easy as boiling water—boil a medium-size pot once or twice per week, and pour down the drain.
—Country Living Staff, Country Living, 14 Oct. 2019
Although boiling water is always a set temperature, eggs coming from the fridge or countertop are not.
—Genevieve Ko, latimes.com, 18 June 2019
Organizers shared tips to help prevent the virus, which include washing hands with soap for more than 30 seconds, eating food that is thoroughly cooked and boiling water before drinking.
—Rachel Axon, USA TODAY Sports, 6 Feb. 2018
More boiling water: Boil water advisories typically happen due to a water main break and/or a loss of pressure in the water system.
—Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press, 24 Oct. 2017
The station is home to two boiling water reactors, capable of powering more than 2.25 million homes and businesses.
—Staff Report, The Aegis, 6 June 2017
Katie Parla, Saveur, 30 Oct. 2025
At the same time, the present era is an epoch in which wars go on seemingly forever—now simmering, now boiling—without end.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Eli Drinkwitz has done more with less at Mizzou, and there's little doubt he'll be targeted in this boiling kettle of a market.
—Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 29 Oct. 2025
Innovations the Society is supporting include smart glasses to identify warning signs like the stove being on or kettle boiling, while going forward AI may help with identifying things like faces, or everyday objects and how to use them.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
There’s the ubiquitous sloshing of bright red hurricanes in curvaceous cocktail glasses, the sizzling of beignets in fryers and the bubbling of boiling crawfish on stovetops.
—Matt Alderton, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Chai is a traditional drink from India that's made from boiling black tea (often Assam tea) with milk and sugar.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2025
Add a chunk of dry ice to the drink for a smoky, boiling cauldron effect.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
Instead of gradually boiling into insanity, the film hits fever pitch hallucinations right away and quickly exhausts itself attempting to keep pace.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Agrawal and her team studied ionic liquids — salts that are liquid at sub-boiling temperatures (below 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 100 degrees Celsius) — as a potential hospitable environment for life.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
One idea is that about a million years after the Big Bang, the universe cooled and underwent a phase transition, an event similar to how boiling water turns liquid into gas.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Scientific American, 3 Mar. 2020
If candy is still stuck on, pour more boiling water over whatever hasn’t come clean.
—Washington Post, 3 Dec. 2019
The simplest fix could be as easy as boiling water—boil a medium-size pot once or twice per week, and pour down the drain.
—Country Living Staff, Country Living, 14 Oct. 2019
Although boiling water is always a set temperature, eggs coming from the fridge or countertop are not.
—Genevieve Ko, latimes.com, 18 June 2019
Organizers shared tips to help prevent the virus, which include washing hands with soap for more than 30 seconds, eating food that is thoroughly cooked and boiling water before drinking.
—Rachel Axon, USA TODAY Sports, 6 Feb. 2018
More boiling water: Boil water advisories typically happen due to a water main break and/or a loss of pressure in the water system.
—Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press, 24 Oct. 2017
The station is home to two boiling water reactors, capable of powering more than 2.25 million homes and businesses.
—Staff Report, The Aegis, 6 June 2017
Verb
Blanch puntarelle ribbons in boiling water generously seasoned with vinegar, salt, and sugar.
—Katie Parla, Saveur, 30 Oct. 2025
At the same time, the present era is an epoch in which wars go on seemingly forever—now simmering, now boiling—without end.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Eli Drinkwitz has done more with less at Mizzou, and there's little doubt he'll be targeted in this boiling kettle of a market.
—Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 29 Oct. 2025
Innovations the Society is supporting include smart glasses to identify warning signs like the stove being on or kettle boiling, while going forward AI may help with identifying things like faces, or everyday objects and how to use them.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
There’s the ubiquitous sloshing of bright red hurricanes in curvaceous cocktail glasses, the sizzling of beignets in fryers and the bubbling of boiling crawfish on stovetops.
—Matt Alderton, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Chai is a traditional drink from India that's made from boiling black tea (often Assam tea) with milk and sugar.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2025
Add a chunk of dry ice to the drink for a smoky, boiling cauldron effect.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
Instead of gradually boiling into insanity, the film hits fever pitch hallucinations right away and quickly exhausts itself attempting to keep pace.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boiling
Adjective
-
Its lighter, more delicate texture is best suited to baking, poaching, or searing.—
Rachael Zimlich,
Verywell Health,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Racking up enthusiastic reviews, Dave’s Hot Chicken has made a searing entry into the Boise market.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Additionally, steaming away wrinkles can give you that high-end feel typically found in a spa or hotel atmosphere.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
-
At Curry in a Hurry, Sajjad Chowdhury ladles steaming goat curry into a bowl for a customer while reflecting on the news the very building where investigators say the high-stakes poker games took place is just a block away.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
It’s been more than a week and people are still stewing about it.—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Right now, Combs is still stewing in the MDC, but he is expected to be moved to a cushier and more low security facility in the NYC area in the near future.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some have likened the controversy surrounding Savin's display of old-time mobsters to the debate swirling around old statues of Confederate generals.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
-
There's plenty of headlines swirling before Game 1 begins Friday at Rogers Centre.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Another is an anarchist raging against a large corporation.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The third model to ever wear a raging bull on its hood, the Miura wasn’t even supposed to exist.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Maybe simmering with a cinnamon stick?—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Bone Broth Bone broth is made by simmering chicken or beef bones with vegetables like onion and carrots and a small amount of vinegar.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Tropical Storm Melissa is churning in the Caribbean Sea and will likely strengthen into a major hurricane by the weekend.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Earnings are revving up this week, and investors are keeping a close eye on results that could be the catalyst to keep markets churning higher.—
Nick Wells,Pia Singh,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Boiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boiling. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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