1
as in laboring
to devote serious and sustained effort
spent the afternoon sweating over her tax returns
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worrying
to experience concern or anxiety
don't sweat over getting the application in a day late, as it probably doesn't matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dripping
to flow forth slowly through small openings
the oil coat may sweat through this varnish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in interrogating
slang
to put a series of questions to
the narcotics squad tried sweating the mule, but he was genuinely clueless about the inner workings of the drug operation
Synonyms & Similar 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 sweating
Other teams that are expected to be sweating the selection committee’s choices are bubble teams Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Missouri and Virginia Commonwealth.
—
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
No one seems to be visibly sweating, probably because most of red carpet is covered.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
In theory, that’s enough to get deep into the backcountry and back without sweating running out of juice.
—Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 13 Mar. 2026
Republican leaders are sweating the prospect of 12 weeks of brutal intraparty attacks in a runoff between the incumbent Cornyn and state attorney general Ken Paxton.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Drinking too much plain water when sweating very heavily can dilute the salt in your body even further, throwing things out of balance.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
Although that strategy has shareholders sweating, analysts in general aren’t worried.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
Americans are feeling pessimistic about the economy and his fellow Republicans are sweating the upcoming midterms.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
If things go sideways, they could be left in third place headed into the conference tournament and sweating their NCAA tournament status just a bit.
—Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
No one seems to be visibly sweating, probably because most of red carpet is covered.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
In theory, that’s enough to get deep into the backcountry and back without sweating running out of juice.
—Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 13 Mar. 2026
Republican leaders are sweating the prospect of 12 weeks of brutal intraparty attacks in a runoff between the incumbent Cornyn and state attorney general Ken Paxton.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Drinking too much plain water when sweating very heavily can dilute the salt in your body even further, throwing things out of balance.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
Although that strategy has shareholders sweating, analysts in general aren’t worried.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2026
Americans are feeling pessimistic about the economy and his fellow Republicans are sweating the upcoming midterms.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
If things go sideways, they could be left in third place headed into the conference tournament and sweating their NCAA tournament status just a bit.
—Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweating
Verb
-
Imagine living in the dictatorship of North Korea, hungry all the time, laboring for no pay.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The son of a medical-gas plumber who worked night shifts, Darnold just kept laboring at his craft.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And the escalating war in Iran is worrying some that higher prices across the board will soon follow.—
Heath Kalb,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports soft job numbers, stubborn inflation and rising gas prices, spurred on by the Iran conflict, are worrying Republicans about an impending electoral backlash in November.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The marmalade stays slightly sticky in the cakey muffin hearts, lending a lively citrus flavor to your breakfast, without dripping onto your jammies, or your dressing gown.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Sixteen Stone Ring by Jean Schlumberger, dripping in diamonds.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Such works treat their characters as political beings with complex lives worth interrogating.—
Jake Pitre,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Even if your wardrobe leans more trendy, try interrogating yourself about certain pieces in your closet.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Massachusetts is actually struggling with a huge population exodus as residents relocate to other states.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Berry, who had just come off winning an Emmy for her performance as the first-ever Black Best Actress nominee, Dorothy Dandridge, showed new layers here as Leticia Musgrove, a widow struggling to raise her son.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In Illinois, there is no fretting over electability.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But some drivers, passengers and ride-hailing companies are already fretting the prospect of pricier rides.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chalamet knows how to give good cry, as previously established by the famous shot of him weeping into a fireplace over the closing credits of Call Me By Your Name.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Babs Osborne was now weeping quite loudly and her nose was running.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Later this spring, the mayor’s office is interested in further examining costs related to event security, solid waste disposal, permits, right-of-way access and other elements.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Also, God forbid, but the examining team might need to unstitch a section of the dress, and there was just the slightest chance that it wouldn’t be put back exactly as it had been received.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sweating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweating. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
