SWELTERING Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

sweltering 1 of 2

adjective

ˈswel-t(ə-)riŋ

Definition of sweltering

as in boiling

having a notably high temperature the air conditioning was broken, and it was sweltering in the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sweltering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of swelter

as in scorching

Related 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 sweltering

Adjective

Others without roof access would sit and sometimes sleep on their firescapes to escape their sweltering hot boxes. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026 In 2026, the spectacle of world-class athletes breaking down in sweltering conditions became the latest sign that the Continent’s rapid warming is bringing that ideal to an end. — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 On a humid June morning, two turtle hatchlings flail nervously inside a red cooler faded from Watamu’s sweltering sun. — Sophie Neiman, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug. 2026 Here's where this summer ranks in terms of Oklahoma's hottest, most sweltering seasons. — Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sweltering

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweltering

Adjective

More humane methods of killing lobsters pre-boiling include a sharp knife through the head, electrical stunning, or freezing.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Agrawal and her team studied ionic liquids — salts that are liquid at sub-boiling temperatures (below 212 degrees Fahrenheit, or 100 degrees Celsius) — as a potential hospitable environment for life.

— Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Definition of boiling

Verb

Pyroclastic flows – fast-moving clouds of scorching gas, ash, and rock – could devastate territory near the caldera.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
The event unfolded against the backdrop of scorching summer temperatures and wildfires, and Spanish officials rolled out a large public safety campaign.

— Suman Naishadham, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of scorching

Verb

Known as the lifeblood of the Southwest, the Colorado River starts in the Rocky Mountains, fed by melting snowpack, and ends in the Gulf of California in Mexico.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
According to these simulations, the sample would start melting at its surfaces around 1,085°C (1,985°F).

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of melting

Adjective

It’s been hot in Pasadena lately, and according to Cat Chen, the best way to deal with the heat is simple—have your friends over, keep the AC running, and serve a refreshing menu alongside a crisp white wine.

— Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
Commerce production assistant Hailey Roy, who has 3C curls, actually skips a hot tool altogether.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of hot

Verb

Dozens of young people, including a twenty-one-year-old professional footballer, drowned while seeking relief in open water; three French children died in broiling cars.

— Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
For more than a year, an uncontrolled fire had burned in the bowels of the dump, broiling old garbage and sending nauseating fumes into nearby homes.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of broiling

Adjective

Prosecutors said some of the money was used for recruiting new members and purchasing Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross-burning ceremonies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Definition of burning

Verb

After a few weeks, Nikki’s acts of devotion escalate, including cooking his cat in a disturbing attempt to support his dream of becoming a food critic.

— Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
As the cost of groceries continues to rise, cooking in restaurants and at home has become more expensive.

— The Deadline Team, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of cooking

Browse Nearby Words

sweltered

sweltering

swelters

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sweltering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweltering. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sweltering

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on sweltering

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

expeditious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes