1
as in boiling
having a notably high temperature
the scalding water of a geyser
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in satiric
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
scalding reviews for the overproduced horror movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in lacerating
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in scorching
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
3
as in simmering
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of scalding
Paul L. Underwood, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020
But the Nets bench called timeout with 1.4 seconds left, giving them a chance to get the ball to the scalding-hot LeVert.
—Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Mar. 2020
But Reimann achieves an exemplary balance by alternating his scalding eruptions of vocal power (which in general are sparsely accompanied, sometimes by percussion alone) with full-throttle tutti blasts from the orchestra.
—Matthew Aucoin, The New York Review of Books, 7 Dec. 2019
Two weeks ago, family and friends laid to rest Malachi Lawson, the 4-year-old who was burned in a scalding bath, his body then tossed in a dumpster.
—Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, 26 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for scalding
Adjective
Experts generally agree on the same basic steps to reduce risks in your house:
Set your water heater no higher than 120 degrees to prevent scalding.
—Paul L. Underwood, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020
But the Nets bench called timeout with 1.4 seconds left, giving them a chance to get the ball to the scalding-hot LeVert.
—Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Mar. 2020
But Reimann achieves an exemplary balance by alternating his scalding eruptions of vocal power (which in general are sparsely accompanied, sometimes by percussion alone) with full-throttle tutti blasts from the orchestra.
—Matthew Aucoin, The New York Review of Books, 7 Dec. 2019
Two weeks ago, family and friends laid to rest Malachi Lawson, the 4-year-old who was burned in a scalding bath, his body then tossed in a dumpster.
—Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, 26 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for scalding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scalding
Adjective
-
More humane methods of killing lobsters pre-boiling include a sharp knife through the head, electrical stunning, or freezing.—
semafor.com,
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
Adjective
-
Its satirical aim feels spot-on.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
Carter was the founder of the satirical monthly Spy and newsletter Air Mail.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The songs are at times over-the-top, at others lacerating in their introspection about everything from the anxiety of aging to the anguished choice to terminate a pregnancy.—
Adam Bradley Luis Alberto Rodriguez Carlos Nazario,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Visit in late spring or fall for pleasant weather; summer can get scorching, especially come midday.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
-
Video posted to social media shows the wildfire scorching trees and structures along Highway 61.—
Cole Premo,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
The allegations are the latest manifestation of the simmering tension between workers and employers, and even franchisees and licensees, over automation and productivity across jobs.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
-
For the first time, Reina Sofía Museum director Manuel Segade publicly addressed a simmering controversy over the Basque government’s request to borrow Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, reports El País.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Oscar had shown me pages of this searing fiction periodically.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
-
While ferocious heat dominates the region for much of the year, the Sky Islands remain cool thanks to their high elevation, providing the perfect escape from the searing weather below.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Now, in a more intimate setting, the sullen and sometimes-sarcastic shadings of this longtime singer-songwriter should hark back to Folds’ fledgling days on the alt-music scene.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
In addition to Miranda's scathing remarks to Andy (Anne Hathaway) while trying to complete seemingly impossible tasks, Emily (Emily Blunt) and Nigel (Stanley Tucci) taught her how to navigate office politics with their own sarcastic comments.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
That high smoke point is part of why tallow has gained traction with home cooks who want a fat that holds up to high-heat frying and roasting without breaking down.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
For high-heat work — frying, searing, roasting potatoes, finishing a crust on a steak — beef tallow has real advantages over butter in smoke point, stability and crisp texture.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scalding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scalding. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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