as in sweat
a state of nervous or irritated concern
the set designer spent the entire week before opening night in a swelter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to melt
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swelter
E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Its living room rapidly reached the swelter and volume of a blacksmith’s forge operating as a front for an unlicensed tavern.
—Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Deanna Romano, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2026
People hired by the contractors wear extensive protective equipment in the sweltering humidity and must have their blood tested regularly for dioxin.
—Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelter
Noun
On the couch, in the summer swelter, their sticky bodies are inches apart, even as their souls drift.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Its living room rapidly reached the swelter and volume of a blacksmith’s forge operating as a front for an unlicensed tavern.
—Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Avoid summer, which brings sweltering heat with little shade and peak accommodation prices, or winter, as many guesthouses close in December and January.
—Deanna Romano, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2026
People hired by the contractors wear extensive protective equipment in the sweltering humidity and must have their blood tested regularly for dioxin.
—Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelter
Noun
-
Opt for something like the Brovave Sleeveless Collar Striped Midi Dress to take you from morning coffee to late-night meals without a single sweat.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
-
Knowing what mosquitoes are attracted to — heat, breath, sweat, dark clothing, scented skin — is the first step toward becoming forgettable.—
Ryan Brennan
May 1,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Soaps are a farmers market must-have; take the easy route by purchasing a block of craft soap, melting it down, and adding your favorite soap-safe colors and scents.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 May 2026
-
More emotions aren’t going to melt him.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Lord Cornwallis encountered these imperial priorities in 1778, when he was briefly ordered to leave America along with four thousand troops during a panic that the French might invade Jamaica.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Everyone experiences moments of existential despair, when one bad day or cataclysmic event sends you into a headspace that’s some combination of panic and self-reflection.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Yet even a disappointing ruling at the high court doesn’t mean the MAHA movement is defeated or should completely go scorched earth on the administration.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The Blazers could not hold on after building a 65-59 halftime lead, an edge built by shooting a scorching 10-of-21 from 3-point range.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.—
Sarah Grant,
New Yorker,
2 Feb. 2026
-
David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sikil Step into Sikil to savor native ingredients cooked into contemporary global favorites.—
Regina Zumarraga,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Transfer the skillet to the oven and continue to cook, skin side down, 7 minutes longer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Its red, orange and yellow daisy-like blooms keep coming through the hottest months with almost no fuss — a strong choice for gardeners who would rather enjoy their yard than baby it.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
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The plants that earn their place in a hot-weather bed are the ones that keep blooming when the thermometer climbs, draw butterflies and hummingbirds without fuss and reward you with the kind of color that makes a morning cup of coffee on the porch feel like a small vacation.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Instead of roasting, the dehydrating preserves natural flavor and delivers Daily Crunch's signature Uniquely Crunchy bite.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Starbucks ended its fiscal 2025 with 14,000 employees working outside its cafes — ranging from corporate support to roasting and logistics roles.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelter. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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