Synonyms of searing

searing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsir-iŋ 

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

• boiling
• burning
• hot
• molten
• broiling
• white-hot
• scorching
• red
• heated
• sweltering
• fiery
• scalding
• torrid
• roasting
• superheated
• warm
• warmed
• fervent
• sultry
• fervid
• red-hot
• blazing
• ardent
• piping hot
• glowing
• sizzling
• seething
• ultrahot
• igneous
• overheated
• tropical
• reheated
• steamy
• feverish
• inflamed
• flushed
• warmish
• toasty
• muggy
• summery
• snug
• summerlike
• canicular

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cold
• freezing
• icy
• frozen
• bitter
• glacial
• arctic
• frigid
• ice-cold
• iced
• chilly
• cool
• chill
• snappy
• bone-chilling
• wintry
• nippy
• frosty
• snowy
• algid
• subzero
• cooled
• coolish
• chilled
• unheated
• shivering
• coldish
• refrigerated
• subfreezing
• numb
• blizzardly
• benumbed

2

as in harsh

difficult to endure

the undersecretary looked chastened as he listened to the congressman's searing rebuke

Synonyms & Similar Words

• harsh
• brutal
• oppressive
• tough
• severe
• hard
• rough
• trying
• grim
• cruel
• painful
• heavy
• excruciating
• bleak
• bitter
• murderous
• rugged
• grievous
• inhuman
• onerous
• burdensome
• stiff
• unbearable
• crushing
• biting
• discomforting
• uncomfortable
• agonizing
• unpleasant
• strict
• rigorous
• hardhanded
• forbidding
• austere
• overwhelming
• grinding
• stringent
• heartrending
• bad
• inhospitable
• intemperate
• harrowing
• heartbreaking
• inclement
• wild
• spartan
• hostile
• wretched
• comfortless
• tortuous
• unendurable
• wearing
• intolerable
• insufferable
• insupportable
• disagreeable
• unfriendly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• easy
• soft
• comfortable
• pleasant
• luxurious
• cozy
• friendly
• genial
• agreeable
• hospitable
• peaceful
• mild
• relaxing
• gentle
• moderate
• restful
• painless
• bearable
• calm
• tolerable
• snug
• temperate
• balmy
• reposeful
• endurable
• clement

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• charring
• scorching
• baking
• singeing
• lighting
• igniting
• kindling
• firing
• inflaming
• incinerating
• scalding
• scathing
• cremating

2

as in drying

to make dry

the clear desert air is seared by the summer sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drying
• scorching
• parching
• baking
• draining
• desiccating
• dehydrating
• evaporating
• dehumidifying
• withering
• shriveling
• mummifying
• air-drying
• wizening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• washing
• wetting
• flooding
• watering
• soaking
• drowning
• saturating
• drenching
• overflowing
• bathing
• inundating
• dousing
• sopping
• moistening
• damping
• dampening
• hydrating
• deluging
• dipping
• sousing
• submerging
• waterlogging
• swamping
• humidifying
• dunking
• rehydrating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of searing

Adjective

Set the scene With a prime position on the shores of Lake Constance at the confluence of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein, Buff Medical Resort is a brand new beast with searing ambition. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026

Overtourism In Europe Is Changing Neighborhoods Despite searing heat, scorching wildfires and overcrowding, visitors keep on coming to Europe, with the biggest burden falling on southern Europe to accommodate them. — Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Verb

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

Wherever creator Lee Sung Jin took the concept next, a bitter rivalry would presumably be its driving force, just as Wong and Yeun’s searing anti-platonic chemistry powered Season 1 through some tonal bumps and big swings. — Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026