Synonyms of boiling

boiling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbȯi(-ə)-liŋ 

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

• searing
• burning
• hot
• molten
• heated
• broiling
• red
• scorching
• roasting
• scalding
• warmed
• superheated
• sweltering
• white-hot
• warm
• fiery
• fervent
• torrid
• red-hot
• piping hot
• fervid
• ardent
• sultry
• blazing
• seething
• glowing
• sizzling
• ultrahot
• igneous
• reheated
• flushed
• overheated
• tropical
• inflamed
• warmish
• feverish
• steamy
• toasty
• muggy
• snug
• summery
• summerlike
• canicular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cold
• freezing
• frozen
• icy
• glacial
• iced
• bitter
• ice-cold
• arctic
• frigid
• cool
• chilly
• chill
• cooled
• snappy
• snowy
• frosty
• nippy
• algid
• subzero
• bone-chilling
• chilled
• wintry
• refrigerated
• coolish
• unheated
• coldish
• shivering
• subfreezing
• numb
• benumbed
• blizzardly

boiling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of boil

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

• steaming
• raging
• burning
• storming
• foaming
• shaking
• seething
• fuming
• sizzling
• agitating
• rankling
• seeing red
• ranting
• fulminating
• smoldering
• raving
• stewing
• bristling
• roiling
• inflaming
• flaring (up)
• convulsing
• chafing
• fretting

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

• stewing
• steaming
• simmering
• poaching
• parboiling
• coddling
• scalding
• braising
• pressure-cooking
• reboiling
• smothering
• fricasseeing

3

as in swirling

to be in a state of violent rolling motion

the sea boiled and frothed during the storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swirling
• churning
• seething
• roiling
• spinning
• whirling
• stirring
• moiling
• reeling
• agitating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• subsiding
• calming
• abating

Example Sentences

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

Verb

Expectation that James would announce his next team soon, boiling for weeks now, became red hot over the weekend. — Joe Vardon, New York Times, 23 July 2026

This is a great pick for anyone who likes their pasta al dente—the combination of semolina and lupini means each noodle retains a satisfying amount of bite after boiling. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 July 2026

Start by boiling your pasta according to the package directions. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2026

Normal strategy in disaster situations is boiling water to purify it but this uses valuable fuel resources. — Simon Heptinstall, New Atlas, 9 July 2026

The only cooking required here is boiling the shrimp for a few minutes and toasting the buns. — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026

Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package directions. — ABC News, 7 July 2026

Another option is to dip the stems briefly in boiling water to help dissolve the sap before placing the hydrangeas in a vase. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 6 July 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 July 2026

Phrases Containing boiling

• boiling point