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
For an even deeper sweetness and flavor, oven roast the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026 Quinn got that blood boiling on a chilly Monday, powering a two-run homer over the left-center fence to spark the host Mustangs to a 9-4 nonconference win in a game that was moved to Chicago because of wet conditions at Oak Forest. Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026 Blanch the corn by boiling it for one minute, then submerge it in ice water. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 2026 Blanched Blanching, which involves boiling the food first and then submerging it in cold water, is another healthy method of cooking spinach. Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2026 Karaban initially pursued a combo platter of three majors – computer science, sports management and statistics – before boiling it down to an economics degree. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026 Add eggs to a pot of already boiling water. Sarah Jampel, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026 When all are well mixed, pour on the boiling Ale by degrees, beating up the mixture continually; then pour it rapidly backward and forward from one jug to another, keeping one jug raised high above the other; till the flip is smooth and finely frothed. Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026 The research team tested water both before and after boiling and found that although lead levels remained below federal action thresholds, the process did not eliminate the risk of metal exposure. Bridget Shirvell, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boiling
Adjective
  • In the wake of the extinction, on a planet beset by extreme swings in climate, with long periods of searing heat and brutal drought, Lystrosaurus flourished, becoming the most abundant terrestrial vertebrate around.
    Kate Wong, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026
  • By his third hosting gig in 2014, he was joined onstage during his monologue by Leonardo DiCaprio, his co-star in the searing satire The Wolf of Wall Street, a Martin Scorsese picture that netted Hill his second Oscar nomination for best supporting actor after Moneyball just three years earlier.
    Josh Spiegel, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Ironing or steaming clothes after a long travel day.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Martone’s gorgeous touch pass to Dvorak sent him steaming ahead with Travis Konecny, with only Mason Lohrei defending.
    Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • The tomatoes for the shakshouka have been stewing for hours.
    Liam Scott, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There are already rumors swirling from Europe that former Barcelona legend and coach Xavi could be considered to replace Mascherano.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Rumors about the product have been swirling since last year, and the latest scoop says the company may be testing four different designs for the wearable.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 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
  • With the war in Iraq raging, the 84-year-old pope, weakened by Parkinson’s disease and less than a year from his death, condemned the war in Iraq with Bush sitting right next to him.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
  • With the war in Iraq raging, the 84-year-old pope, weakened by Parkinson’s disease and less than a year from his death, condemned the war in Iraq with Bush sitting right next to him.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In the sanitized and alienating new surrounds, with the camaraderie of the early Hyperion days but a faint memory, long-simmering discontent about working conditions wouldn’t take long to boil over.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Bone Broth Bone broth is made by simmering bones and connective tissue.
    Lindsey DeSoto, Health, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • When the ocean is relatively calm and shallow, there is also less plankton, sand, particles, and other materials constantly churning in the waves, which gives the water a clearer appearance.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
  • And with the war in Ukraine still very much churning along, the last thing European states want to do is deploy their warships, surveillance assets and combat aircraft to serve a war they weren’t consulted about.
    Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boiling. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on boiling

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster