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

This includes talking about searing memories of the death of her husband John, who worked for five years in the Gary blast furnaces. — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Tens of thousands marched through Budapest’s streets in searing heat for the annual Pride event, the first LGBTQ+ parade since Viktor Orbán’s ouster. — Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 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