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
Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Gently add the eggs to the rapidly boiling water.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
The Watt steam engine once turned boiling water heat into motion.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
French confectioner Nicolas Appert spent years on the challenge, eventually creating the world’s first food bottling factory by sealing food in glass jars with cork and wax, then boiling them.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025
They can be used for roasting chicken, boiling pasta, making pasta sauce and the list could go on and on.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Simmer pots, made by gently boiling apple slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and citrus peels are a natural and customizable way to fill your home with cozy autumn aromas.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2025
Unless that critical threshold is reached, the meltwater below the ice just keeps boiling in direct contact with the surface.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025
When making eggs in the air fryer, there’s no boiling water needed.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 Aug. 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
Either way, the surface of the world becomes literally boiling hot.
—Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Gently add the eggs to the rapidly boiling water.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
The Watt steam engine once turned boiling water heat into motion.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
French confectioner Nicolas Appert spent years on the challenge, eventually creating the world’s first food bottling factory by sealing food in glass jars with cork and wax, then boiling them.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025
They can be used for roasting chicken, boiling pasta, making pasta sauce and the list could go on and on.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Simmer pots, made by gently boiling apple slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and citrus peels are a natural and customizable way to fill your home with cozy autumn aromas.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2025
Unless that critical threshold is reached, the meltwater below the ice just keeps boiling in direct contact with the surface.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025
When making eggs in the air fryer, there’s no boiling water needed.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boiling
Adjective
-
High-Heat-Safe Alternatives While enameled cast-iron cookware is excellent to use for braising, roasting, baking, or gentle stovetop cooking, certain high heat applications like searing steak or blackening fish are best done in other types of pans, like traditional cast iron or stainless steel.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After all, Miami seemingly has stamina to withstand searing heat after practicing in it all summer, while the opponent typically comes to town ill-prepared for the oppressive temperatures and humidity.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Needless to say, fans are steaming.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
At the other end, the Premier League is steaming beyond its peers; a super league in all but name.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The habit of staying up at night and replaying all the embarrassing moments of your life while stewing in self-blame isn’t just a personality quirk.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Komljen creates an ostensible utopia for those ostracised from urban spaces, with days now spent stewing apricots, weaving baskets, kissing rocks, and conversing with mushrooms.—
Sonya Vseliubska,
Variety,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
An Atlantic Ocean devoid of swirling tropical waves is a welcome but unusual sight for mid-September.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Studs, leopard print, and DIY ornamentation sit alongside soft pastels, swirling graphic patterns, and a Nouveau color palette inspired by the Parisian Metropolitain signs.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 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
-
Dry washes, streams, and rivers can become raging killer currents in a matter of minutes, even from distant rainfall.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
On Wednesday night, the 2023 US Open winner and reigning French Open champion hosted a raging New York Fashion Week party to unveil a personalized collection of her favorite clothes and accessories for Miu Miu Select.—
Paul Chi,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The ban fueled the frustration that was already simmering among the youth.—
Sonal Nain,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
They should be added early to simmering stews, soups, sauces, so time and heat can unlock their full potential.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the news cycle just keeps churning with new revelations about how tight Trump and Epstein were.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In August, Hurricane Erin brought heavy rain and strong winds to the northeast Caribbean before growing in size and churning up high surf and dangerous rip currents along the East Coast.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Boiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boiling. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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