searing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsir-iŋ How to pronounce searing (audio)
Definition of searingnext
1
as in boiling
having a notably high temperature in our air-conditioned office, we were oblivious to the searing heat outside

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2
as in harsh
difficult to endure the undersecretary looked chastened as he listened to the congressman's searing rebuke

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searing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of sear
1
as in charring
to burn on the surface lightly sear the steaks, but don't cook them all the way through

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2
as in drying
to make dry the clear desert air is seared by the summer sun

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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 searing
Adjective
To prepare trout, Walker suggests grilling, baking, or pan-searing it with simple seasonings like lemon, herbs, or garlic. — Sherri Gordon, Health, 14 July 2026 From searing heat waves to regulatory rollbacks, sustainability is a tough topic for global leaders. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 9 July 2026
Verb
Right now, everything was an eye-searing neon yellow. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026 Follow Ham El-Waylly’s lead by searing the fish in the skillet before finishing in the oven. — Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for searing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for searing
  1. boiling
  2. harsh
  3. charring
  4. drying
  5. burning
  6. brutal
  7. scorching
  8. hot
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
  • But some have pushed back on the idea that the threat of harsh legal punishment could prevent the gatherings in the first place.
    — Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 25 July 2026
  • Even if it's erased later, everyone now knows it can be drawn again, along the same criteria or something harsher, and that no one outside Washington controls where that line lands next.
    — Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of harsh
Verb
  • House of Leon crafts it from Douglas fir using shou sugi ban, a traditional Japanese technique that preserves wood by charring its surface.
    — Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2026
  • If hearths had been built in the cave, underlying bones would have shown evidence of charring — but not a single bone out of the 4,500 studied was burned.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of charring
Verb
  • Made of breathable, quick-drying fabric that helps wick away moisture, the relaxed silhouette helps promote airflow while still looking polished.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2026
  • Using lightweight technical yarns and relaxed silhouettes, the pieces are intended to be quick-drying and adaptable enough to work from everyday errands to formal events, in line with Silberstein’s overall ethos.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 20 July 2026
Definition of drying
Adjective
  • Prosecutors said some of the money was used for recruiting new members and purchasing Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross-burning ceremonies.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
  • In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
Definition of burning
Adjective
  • San Francisco has already seen right-hander Hayden Birdsong undergo Tommy John surgery earlier this year, and losing McDonald for an extended period of time would be another brutal blow for the pitching staff.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
  • This thing—the military—aims, at least in Harlow’s eyes, to turn boys into tools for brutal battlefield aims.
    — Jasper Craven, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
Definition of brutal
Verb
  • Often if calcium levels in the soil are too low, plants would also be exhibiting signs of deficiency including stunted growth, curling of leaves and perhaps spotting or scorching on leaves.
    — Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
  • But beyond the numbers — buoyed by a scorching 7 of 9 showing in two games at the California Classic — his form looks sound.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
Definition of scorching
Adjective
  • The grandstands were packed with over 300,000 fans who would brave the very hot and humid Indiana weather in August.
    — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
  • While there’s seemingly no shortage of players and other team employees willing to complain publicly about day-to-day decision-making within the league, Engelbert’s overall job security remains too hot for most to handle.
    — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of hot

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Cite this Entry

“Searing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/searing. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of searing for Spanish Speakers

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