SCALD Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

scald 1 of 2

noun

Definition of scald

as in burn

a burn left on the skin that is caused by hot liquid or steam

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

scald

2 of 2

verb

as in to bruise

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in to scorch

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in to simmer

Related Words

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 scald

Noun

This tent can double as a heat protector when summer temperatures soar into the 90s and the foliage and bark of many plants, especially tropicals, are susceptible to heat scald. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Nov. 2025 Applying a thin layer of lawn soil might help protect the green runners from sun scald but is probably not necessary. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025

Verb

Since most of these scalding waters are too hot to swim in, the next best option is the Firehole Swim Area, located along the Firehole River and fed by thermal activity below the surface. — Talia Avakian, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026 By comparison, 125 visitors have drowned and 23 have died from burns after falling into the park’s scalding hot springs. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for scald

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scald

Noun

During the front-line firefighting effort, four firefighters suffered minor injuries, at least one from burns and at least two from smoke inhalation, according to the fire department.

— Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
More potassium nitrate sustains a longer burn; more sulfur quickens the explosion.

— Paige Williams, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of burn

Verb

The massive wildfire outside the southwestern city of Bordeaux, which has scorched about 420 square kilometers (162 square miles), uncovered what is believed to be World War II-era ammunition.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
As well as fueling the fires scorching Europe’s land, the latest heatwaves have also put unprecedented pressure on the continent’s water sources – and the vital infrastructure that relies on them.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of scorch

Verb

The incident also brought months of simmering cybersecurity fears to a head, demonstrating how easily AI agents could cause immense damage, while making the case for open models in the era of skyrocketing token costs.

— Samantha Subin, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
In the kitchen, two 10-gallon vats of the restaurant’s secret blend of white melting cheese and spices simmer continuously.

— Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of simmer

Noun

Kennedy has also sought to personally reform the agency’s vaccine policy, firing all 17 of its vaccine advisers and replacing them with his own picks, many of whom have questioned the benefit of vaccines while exaggerating their harms.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Sarahi Azucena Gonzalez, 22, faces one felony count of child abuse without great bodily harm and one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child, according to her arrest report.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of harm

Verb

Jen Macdonel, Claire Macdonel's mother, told Fox News Digital that the barracuda attack lacerated four of her daughter's tendons, in addition to a nerve and a ligament.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Rubbing the injury causes more tissue damage as the ice crystals lacerate new cells.

— Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026

Definition of lacerate

Verb

If hunting or skinning animals, use gloves, and cook game meat thoroughly before eating.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
But without access to refrigeration, these vendors lack the broader inventory of a storefront like Gu Grocery, where Wang plans to sell an assortment of fresh produce and healthy pre-packaged meals cooked by her and her mom.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of cook

Verb

Gnocchi and mushrooms roast without parboiling, then get finished with creamy ricotta and lemon to cut through the richness.

— Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026
For a simpler approach to preparing Brussels sprouts, skip parboiling and move straight to roasting.

— Maddy Bendgen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2025

Definition of parboil

Browse Nearby Words

scalawags

scald

scalded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Scald.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scald. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of scald

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on scald

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

baptism of fire

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes