boiling 1 of 2

Definition of boilingnext

boiling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of boil
1
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

3
as in swirling
to be in a state of violent rolling motion the sea boiled and frothed during the storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 boiling
Adjective
More humane methods of killing lobsters pre-boiling include a sharp knife through the head, electrical stunning, or freezing. semafor.com, 29 Dec. 2025 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
Verb
Cook and stir over medium-high until boiling. Jessica Saari Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026 Begin by pouring approximately 2 cups of hot boiling hot or boiling water down the sink drain. Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 30 May 2026 London — On a boiling hot day in England, Jordan Dawson walks into a London pub with a tote bag by his side. Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 May 2026 That could result in a BLEVE, or boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion, which would have caused widespread damage and released toxic material into the air. Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026 Upon entering, the pair discover the horrors of bloody intestines, fingernails and a human heart boiling on the stove. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 May 2026 The evacuation zone around GKN Aerospace plant was reduced 65% late Monday, May 25, after officials announced the threat of a highly destructive BLEVE — boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion — had been avoided. Kevin Sablan, Oc Register, 26 May 2026 One of those moments negatively speaking, is [SPOILER ALERT] in the first half hour before things get boiling. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 May 2026 In one experiment, a variable-density system allowed the robot to temporarily inflate and change buoyancy using vaporization of a low-boiling liquid. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boiling
Adjective
  • For her, the aftermath of that victory brought heightened anxiety, and searing criticism from outsiders when the Swedish pro’s play took a dip.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
  • Though Boys sometimes sees Watt take searing leads reminiscent of McCartney’s ’60s and ’70s guitar foils, like George Harrison, just as often, McCartney is playing almost everything himself.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Details and design reflect that philosophy, from the wood fire burning in reception and the garden where your dinner grows to the private onsen steaming quietly while snow falls just feet away.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2026
  • By the time engineers realized the issue was a systemic structural fault across the entire fleet, the cargo ship was already halfway across the Atlantic, steaming toward Brazil.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Something about her kept stewing in my head.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 1 June 2026
  • The Detroit Red Wings sat on the bench, stewing in stunned silence, after their latest loss sealed their fate as a franchise relegated to watching the NHL playoffs on TV.
    CBS News, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Ready to direct and protect, both from the men and from the swirling chaos that might otherwise harm you.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • As investigators renew the hunt for Lynette, speculation is swirling over where Brian may be following the mystery around his wife's disappearance.
    Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
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
  • Cracking the case The Covid pandemic was raging in the spring of 2020 when Congress passed a law that, among other things, provided aid to small businesses and organizations through the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP.
    Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 3 June 2026
  • As negotiators progress toward a potential deal in Iran, another regional conflict is raging.
    Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • The smell of simmering garlic and tomatoes drifts through the casual dining rooms where families gather around crowded tables.
    Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
  • One stainless steel saucepan for boiling, simmering and making sauces at a high temperature.
    Ryan Brennan June 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • The same year, Hurricane Dora passed within about 400 miles of Hawaii, churning up winds on the islands that contributed to the Lahaina fire disaster on Maui.
    Evan Bush, NBC news, 1 June 2026
  • Before the Chase Center crowd could wonder what was coming, Jocytė had already climbed on the stationary bike, her legs churning while the Indiana Fever seized momentum early in the second half Thursday night.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boiling. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

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