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
  • According to The Jerusalem Post, Malkovich is scheduled to return to Tel Aviv for the satirical theatrical-musical production on April 13 at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Critics have long speculated that his depiction was satirical—that the first utopian literary work was, at least in part, dystopian.
    — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 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
  • Only one other spacecraft, NASA’s Messenger, has explored the puzzling, scorching planet that is just a little bigger than our moon.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Prolonged periods of drought are scorching French pastures, leeching them of their usual lush green vitality and leaving behind parched, lifeless yellow fields.
    — Vivian Song, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 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
  • The rolling mountain landscape becomes an undulating patchwork quilt of searing scarlets, terracottas, vermillions, and more.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Once the film was released, critics widely praised Page’s searing performance as the doomed Greek soldier Sinon, and even some of Page’s detractors online were won over by his work.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of searing
Adjective
  • Roberts corrected himself after an impressive dive from Komander, who received a loud, sarcastic pop.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of sarcastic
Verb
  • In a series of videos posted on social media and flagged by KOB4, Martinez filmed himself tearing the camera towers down in order to return them to their rightful owners.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Because the tool cuts through vibration rather than force, the edge is designed to stay closer to true, with reduced crushing or tearing on delicate parts and thin sheet stock.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of tearing

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Cite this Entry

“Scalding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scalding. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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