sears 1 of 2

verb

Definition of searsnext
present tense third-person singular of sear
1
as in chars
to burn on the surface lightly sear the steaks, but don't cook them all the way through

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sears

2 of 2

noun

plural of sear
as in burns

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 sears
Verb
Nikki Glaser quickly and delightfully sears the crowd. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sears
  1. chars
  2. dries
  3. burns
  4. scorches
  5. scars
  6. singes
  7. damages
  8. lights
Verb
  • At American Elm, Mangin moves his cut of ribeye around the grill and flips it so each side faces the heat and chars the outside, guaranteeing a more even cook inside.
    — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
Definition of chars
Verb
  • Meanwhile, as the scent dries down, gentle fruity notes of apricot and peach emerge alongside white musk.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 July 2026
  • Airflow heats the barrel, and dries the hair while curling it in a process that uses 40 percent less energy than hair-dryer and brush methods.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 July 2026
Definition of dries
Noun
  • Deputies found Stork and her partner outside the building with severe burns on their bodies, according to Stork’s arrest report.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • Two of those injured had burns on approximately 10-15% of their bodies while the third suffered multiple wounds, according to Romania’s Department for Emergency Situations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of burns
Verb
  • France followed its hottest-ever day with yet more brutal temperatures as a deadly heat wave scorches much of western Europe.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 24 June 2026
  • Protection from the sun is key for this plant because bright sun scorches its leaves.
    — Lauren David, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
Definition of scorches
Noun
  • The historical house, owned by Oliver Anderson at the time of the war, the gardens and orchard are still marked with battle scars.
    — Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • Beyond fragrance, Colep used Cosmoprof to showcase more targeted, problem-solving concepts, including products for scars, post-procedure recovery, acne and hair growth.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 21 July 2026
Definition of scars
Verb
  • But the laser singes her brain.
    — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
  • At one point, Paul improvises a blowtorch and singes Carey’s face, leaving his peepers hairless.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Definition of singes
Noun
  • Diaz-Campos is seeking monetary damages in excess of $100,000, along with job reinstatement, back pay and lost benefits.
    — Chase Jordan July 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026
  • Trump is seeking $5 billion in defamation damages and another $5 billion over violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 July 2026
Definition of damages
Verb
  • Her spot at the support group, which now lights a blue candle with her name etched onto it before every meeting.
    — Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 18 July 2026
  • The instinctive Moon lights your 7th House of Partnership, squaring transformative Pluto in your 4th House of Home, so an agreement may need to account for family, privacy, or living-space realities.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
Definition of lights

Browse Nearby Words

searing
sears
sea(s)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sears. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sears

Nglish: Translation of sears for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of kludge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All