scalding 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskȯl-diŋ How to pronounce scalding (audio)
Definition of scaldingnext
1
as in boiling
having a notably high temperature the scalding water of a geyser

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scalding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of scald
1
as in lacerating

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in scorching

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Dissimilar Words
3
as in simmering

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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 scalding
Adjective
There is an anti-scalding handle, so your hand is protected and a steam outlet to let off any high pressure steam to protect yourself. — Chris Hachey, BGR, 2 Apr. 2021 One man placed in a scalding bath or shower went to the hospital with second-degree burns. — Benjamin Weiser, New York Times, 21 Feb. 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
  1. boiling
  2. satiric
  3. lacerating
  4. scorching
  5. simmering
  6. searing
  7. sarcastic
  8. tearing
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
Definition of boiling
Adjective
  • The extremely soapy, enjoyably satirical true-life drama chronicles love, rampant betrayal and a brazen murder plot through three decades of the iconic Gucci fashion house.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Film is an art form that ranges from the broadly entertaining to the sharply satirical and controversial.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of satiric
Verb
  • Two generations of viewers have now grown up consuming The Daily Show’s lacerating take on politics.
    — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • In the last year, Huston has broken his eye socket — twice — and his jaw, as well as lacerating his kidney, per posts on his social media.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026
Definition of lacerating
Verb
  • Persistent drought and scorching heat this summer have ravaged ecosystems and businesses across the region, from a lake in Slovenia and the side channel of the Danube in Serbia, to fish farms in Bosnia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • While cooler fall days may be on the horizon, many students returning to school are still dealing with scorching end-of-summer temperatures.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of scorching
Verb
  • In the end, however, Mitić’s intrepid approach is undeniably bracing, and held together at its core by Kostić’s simmering performance.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Their simmering chemistry carries the narrative through war, hardship, romance and tragedy, set to the now-beloved score by Maurice Jarre.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of simmering
Adjective
  • Even with no rate increase, though, Tulsa electric bills would be spiking this year because of searing summer heat, with more than twice the average number of triple-digit days.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Clock hands circle predictably and calendar pages turn on schedule, but internally, within our bodies, minds and hearts, time is a whole different thing — discontinuous, wondrous, searing.
    — Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of searing
Adjective
  • The department’s post drew skeptical and sarcastic reactions from commenters who wondered whether the missing $30 called for a public search.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Our second president, John Adams, was said to have had a sarcastic demeanor and made biting remarks about his contemporaries.
    — John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Verb
  • Thompson, who is preparing for his 14th NBA season, is a different player at this point of his NBA career after tearing his ACL in 2019 and then rupturing his Achilles in 2020.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Those include a major makeover for the first floor, including tearing out the stage to make space for a brewery.
    — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of tearing

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scalding
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Cite this Entry

“Scalding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scalding. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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