Synonyms of boils

boils 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blisters
• pustules
• pimples
• bumps
• lumps
• papules
• festers
• pocks
• zits
• sores
• welts
• whelks
• hickeys
• warts
• blackheads
• protuberances
• whiteheads
• weals
• milia

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• steams
• rages
• burns
• storms
• seethes
• rankles
• foams
• shakes
• fumes
• sizzles
• agitates
• sees red
• inflames
• rants
• smolders
• raves
• fulminates
• bristles
• flares (up)
• chafes
• roils
• convulses
• stews
• frets

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stews
• steams
• simmers
• poaches
• parboils
• coddles
• scalds
• smothers
• braises
• pressure-cooks
• reboils
• fricassees

3

as in churns

to be in a state of violent rolling motion

the sea boiled and frothed during the storm

Synonyms & Similar Words

• churns
• swirls
• seethes
• roils
• spins
• whirls
• stirs
• moils
• reels
• agitates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• subsides
• calms
• abates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of boils

Noun

People showed strange boils and rashes that volunteers photographed. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Owners Anthony and Jennifer Arceneaux employ a special purge method to clean all their crawfish before tossing them into their famous boils or adding them to their crawfish etouffee. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

In the past two years, Villa Heights held seafood boils, trunk or treats, chili cook offs and other community events around the park. — Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Capt Hirams Resort is now a hot spot for multiple events, such as live music, crab boils, shows, game nights, mystery nights, fishing tournaments and conferences about real treasure hunts off the nearby shores. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Watch for the popper to disappear like a bobber or keep an eye out for subtle boils around the lure. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 23 July 2026

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. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 May 2026

The soot becomes dust that covers humans and animals, producing festering boils. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026

Verb

The energy boils, and so does the tension between the woman in red and someone else competing for the same man. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Grylls cuts off the animal’s tongue with a knife and boils it over a campfire. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026

Mariscos Cortez is a seafood restaurant with flavors from the coast of Mexico that will serve a small menu of ceviche, aguachiles and Jalisco-style shrimp boils. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026

The river dropped 60 feet between boulders in a series of falls and continued downstream in a dangerous half mile of holes and boils. — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026

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