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

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

Verb

After traveling through our atmosphere and heating up, searing through the sky and then crashing through a roof and then a bedroom ceiling, the meteorite broke apart into pieces. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 15 July 2026

Cover the pan briefly while searing to help the meat heat through without drying out. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 15 July 2026