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
Timothy Joseph, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026
The result is a searing drama that had audiences at the National Theatre in London, where the production opened at the end of 2024, gasping in surprise, shock, and sympathy.
—Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2026
Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
Originally opened as the Talk of the Town steakhouse in 1974, Lakeland’s Texas Cattle Company has been searing and serving ’em up since 1984.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for searing
Adjective
Spread of ‘peace’ rhetoric Today’s dizzying clashes in word and deed are illuminated by Calgacus’ searing words, which show how easily the rhetoric of peace can be used to cover for or distract from acts of war.
—Timothy Joseph, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026
The result is a searing drama that had audiences at the National Theatre in London, where the production opened at the end of 2024, gasping in surprise, shock, and sympathy.
—Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
Chalamet’s matching orange movie-premiere outfits with his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, for example, echo Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s denim wardrobe in the early 2000s; wearing eye-searing hues together produces tabloid fodder, while further anchoring Chalamet in the cultural zeitgeist.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
Originally opened as the Talk of the Town steakhouse in 1974, Lakeland’s Texas Cattle Company has been searing and serving ’em up since 1984.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
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
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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
-
Before Getting Started When cleaning your oven, try to avoid using harsh oven cleaners or using the self-cleaning feature.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The origin of clemency is understood through the Federalist Papers as a need for mercy in instances when the criminal justice system was too harsh.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
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Avoid charring while cooking Cooking meat at very high temperatures can pose health risks, according to Basman.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Plus the formula is fast-drying, to prevent flaking and smudging, with a small fiber brush that coats each lash while keeping clumping at bay.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Humans have always processed food by chopping, cooking, fermenting, drying or freezing.—
Michael I Goran,
The Conversation,
3 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
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With the benefit of hindsight, analysts and investors have blamed much of Kraft Heinz’s downward spiral on the brutal cost-cutting strategy imposed after the merger.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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Unrelenting cold in storm’s aftermath Last weekend’s historic winter storm and the brutal cold that followed have been blamed for at least 85 deaths in the US, the Associated Press reported.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Drinking chocolate and melted chocolate are best gently heated on the stove to prevent scorching.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
30 Jan. 2026
-
During Tuesday's quarterfinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Iva Jovic - the last match played under scorching sun - the players held ice packs to their heads and portable fans to their faces during breaks in play.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Although Venus is nearly twice the distance from the Sun as Mercury and receives only about 29% of the radiation-per-unit-area that Mercury receives, Venus, not Mercury, is the Solar System’s hottest planet.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
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Serve with hot pickled peppers on top for more zing in every bite.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Searing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/searing. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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