boils 1 of 2

plural of boil
as in blisters
a small, inflamed swelling of the skin the dermatologist lanced the infected boil that had formed on the patient's neck

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boils

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of boil
1
as in steams
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger the passengers were boiling when they found out the flight was delayed yet again

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2
as in stews
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

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

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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 boils
Noun
From neighborhood po' boy counters to sprawling crawfish boils, some of the city's most memorable meals are messy and meant to be shared. Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026 Bonds are tested and betrayal boils. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 May 2026 For traditional crawfish boils, deveining is generally skipped. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 May 2026 The soot becomes dust that covers humans and animals, producing festering boils. Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026 But it's very commonly associated with like seafood boils. Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Mar. 2026 Last year, the restaurant changed concepts to Amelies — named after Wang’s wife — continuing to offer seafood boils in tandem with new dishes. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026 This year’s options span crawfish boils, fajitas, barbecue, desserts and more, with restaurants offering watch parties, dine-in service and takeout across the city. Ana Khan, Houston Chronicle, 2 Feb. 2026 The party was complete with seafood boils, a brass band, and a photo booth. Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Also contaminated are fish, staples of Midwestern fish fries and fish boils, and an important part of the diet of Indigenous tribes, certain immigrant populations and communities of color. Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026 This process boils oil to separate it into useful fractions like gasoline, plastics, and jet fuel. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 June 2026 Once the water boils, add the florets and cook until the largest pieces can be easily pierced with a knife, 8 to 12 minutes. Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026 The intense heat boils water and the high-pressure steam drives turbines that generate electricity. Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2026 His weight fluctuated and boils broke out under his arms and along his neck, said Ramos, who frequently speaks with Castillo and Otero via phone. Rick Jervis, USA Today, 13 May 2026 As soon as water boils, turn off heat; cover saucepan, and let stand for 12 minutes. Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026 These boils impact the Egyptians and even Pharaoh’s magicians. Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boils
Noun
  • In animals, the bacterium causes pustules and lesions, predominantly in cattle, sheep, and horses.
    Helen Branswell, STAT, 11 May 2026
  • In fact, one of the most common triggers of rosacea, which is characterized by flushing, swelling, spider veins, papules, and pustules, is exposure to sunlight.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During that time, the steak essentially steams.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
  • This all comes as the legal fight over the audit steams ahead, over 15 months after 72% of the state signed off on the ballot measure.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC appears noticeably more clear and less green in the weeks before the Fourth of July as renovation work continues, but controversy still stews.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • Other cast members include sous chef Alesia Harris, who returned from Season 3, stews Jenna Woudberg and Joe Caron, deckhands Eddy Hounsell and Betul Yazici, and deck/stew Mike Durrant.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 2 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • For all of Jaws' carnage, nothing churns the gut quite like the death of local boy Alex Kintner, played by Jeffrey Voorhees.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026
  • First, Two Scoops Creamery uses a high butter fat content and churns the ice cream directly in the Plaza Midwood store.
    Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Thabi Hlela of African Alabaster Botanical Skincare uses marula and shea butter in formulations that have cleared pimples and reversed early aging signs in customers who had tried pharmaceutical alternatives.
    Lisa Curtis, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
  • Well, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, pimples are related to internal imbalances of heat and blood stagnation.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Molloy rages to his film crew, and Lestat’s duplicity plants a wedge between the vamps.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 June 2026
  • Halfway through 2026 and the Beckham family feud still rages on.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • The Differences Between Instant Pot and Slow Cooker A slow cooker is a countertop appliance that simmers ingredients in a pot at a low temperature for an extended period.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 May 2026
  • Chop up your favorite toppings while the chili simmers on the stove.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The galaxy's heart shines brightly in the image, with gleaming rays of light radiating from its center while gas and dust swirls around.
    Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 19 May 2026
  • Longoria’s approach to the wild fervour that continually swirls around the Velodrome was to try to harness it by hiring comparably combustible coaches like Jorge Sampaoli, Igor Tudor, Gennaro Gattuso and De Zerbi.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boils. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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