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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swelter
Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
The fire comes as parts of the West Coast swelter under a heat wave.
—Jack Moore, ABC News, 23 Aug. 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
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
The fire comes as parts of the West Coast swelter under a heat wave.
—Jack Moore, ABC News, 23 Aug. 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
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Other deals include a sleek pair of wide-leg sweats for $30, and these stylish, on-trend track pants marked down to just $26.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
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Three Steps, No More Cleanser A gentle face wash removes oil and sweat from overnight without stripping your skin.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To fill the cracks in all the sculptures, the artist had melted vats of beeswax.—
Douglas Stuart,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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Again, the whole bite melted on my tongue.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But in the absence of such attuned and invested adults, these panic responses can be sustained and lead to long-term changes in the way the child’s genes interact, the way the child’s brain develops and functions, and the way the child understands and interacts with others.—
Dr. Andrew Garner,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
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And on top of all of that, nothing ensues panic quite like losing your cell phone in a foreign country (or anywhere for that matter).—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the hours after splashdown, space wonks noticed a large, unusual-looking white patch on the otherwise dark and scorched heat shield.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
14 Apr. 2026
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The last time Anthony Black stepped onto the court inside Xfinity Mobile Arena, the young Magic guard scorched the Sixers with 31 points and four 3-pointers during a 41-point Orlando road victory.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.—
Sarah Grant,
New Yorker,
2 Feb. 2026
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David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Chicken is beloved for being nutrient-packed, easy to cook, and an excellent source of lean protein.—
Phoebe Evans,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
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Continue rolling and cooking the tortillas in batches, making sure to return the oil to 350 degrees between batches.—
Carole Kotkin,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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One is beautiful and famous the world over; the other is even more beautiful yet content not to have to put up with all the fuss and attention.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
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But the first phase of curbside construction isn’t expected to cause much fuss for drivers.—
Megan Rodriguez,
San Antonio Express-News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The cafe roasts its coffee beans on-site and excels at classics, including French toast and egg sandwiches.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
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Restaurants often serve it whole, typically roasted or grilled with simple ingredients like olive oil, lemon, garlic and fresh herbs.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swelter. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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