1
as in boiling
having a notably high temperature
in our air-conditioned office, we were oblivious to the searing heat outside
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in harsh
difficult to endure
the undersecretary looked chastened as he listened to the congressman's searing rebuke
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in drying
to make dry
the clear desert air is seared by the summer sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of searing
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
His mother’s death was a searing event Newsom’s mother died at age 55, in 2002, after a battle with cancer.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Chicken tenders or boneless chicken thighs also work (if using thighs, increase the cook time on the second side to about 5 minutes when searing).
—Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for searing
Adjective
That cage, the magical but also eerie Thrushcross Grange, is a sight to behold—an epic, retina-searing, sometimes repulsive, consistently jaw-dropping palace, meticulously constructed by production designer Suzie Davies.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
His mother’s death was a searing event Newsom’s mother died at age 55, in 2002, after a battle with cancer.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Her stories are well-told, relevant and often searing, detailing an elementary-school teacher’s slight, a hometown swimming-pool reckoning and chauvinism from an Ivy League club.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Chicken tenders or boneless chicken thighs also work (if using thighs, increase the cook time on the second side to about 5 minutes when searing).
—Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for searing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for searing
Adjective
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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
-
Prosecutors say the defendant failed to take into account his girlfriend’s inexperience in mountain climbing as well as the harsh winter conditions.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Bathroom Fixtures There are no harsh or abrasive chemicals involved in steam cleaning bathroom fixtures.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The extra step—charring the garlic, peppers, and onions—takes salsa to the next level.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
During my inaugural visit, the kitchen’s Santa Maria grill served as a fiery altar, charring a litany of premium meats over an open flame.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Vouchers will be exchangeable for a laundry card preloaded with $8 in credit, which will cover two wash cycles at any temperature and three 10-minute drying cycles.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Finish by removing the cleaner off the tracks with a damp microfiber cloth or paper towel before drying the tracks with a dry cloth.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
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Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The regime accused protesters of being Israeli spies and deployed the brutal local paramilitary Basij force to suppress demonstrations which were sparked by poor economic conditions but transformed into calls for regime change.—
Farida Elsebai,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Olivia, Bailey’s mother, was really Kate Smith, and her father was Nicholas Bell (David Morse), famous mob lawyer for The Syndicate, or The Organization, a group notorious for crimes and brutal retaliation against their enemies.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And, yes, Jung is scorching balls out of the gate.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
22 Feb. 2026
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The Ranger Road megafire is the largest, scorching more than 283,000 acres in Oklahoma and Kansas — an area nearly twice the size of Chicago.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Freak from The Girls Deli in North Park is a hot sandwich with salty pastrami, brisket, melted jack cheese, bacon, mustard, spicy sriracha mayo, onions, and jalapeños.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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The show captures the frenzy of all-consuming lust and the chaos that arises in the wake of a blazing hot relationship without true depth or knowledge of the other partner.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Searing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/searing. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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