as in boiling
having a notably high temperature
the air conditioning was broken, and it was sweltering in the office
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Recent Examples of sweltering
Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Before the Sunshine State’s sweltering summer weather takes hold, a slew of springtime events land in Central Florida this weekend.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
No need to work them into the sweltering ground.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Houdry’s catalytic invention couldn’t work with leaded gasoline, and it hadn’t been tested in tough conditions, such as freezing cold or sweltering heat.
—Ann E. Carlson, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sweltering
Adjective
Amid the sweltering heat and almost menacingly lush greenery, Louise compiles an exquisite taxonomy of local types.
—Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Before the Sunshine State’s sweltering summer weather takes hold, a slew of springtime events land in Central Florida this weekend.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
No need to work them into the sweltering ground.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Houdry’s catalytic invention couldn’t work with leaded gasoline, and it hadn’t been tested in tough conditions, such as freezing cold or sweltering heat.
—Ann E. Carlson, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sweltering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweltering
Adjective
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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
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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
Verb
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Higher heat encourages better skin texture, but balance is key to keep the potato from scorching before the interior softens through.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Devastating, scorching March The Sierra snowpack saw some promising accumulations earlier in the winter, especially between late December and early January, and during a very cold storm in mid-February that produced a lot of snow.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the wake of the extinction, on a planet beset by extreme swings in climate, with long periods of searing heat and brutal drought, Lystrosaurus flourished, becoming the most abundant terrestrial vertebrate around.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
15 Apr. 2026
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By his third hosting gig in 2014, he was joined onstage during his monologue by Leonardo DiCaprio, his co-star in the searing satire The Wolf of Wall Street, a Martin Scorsese picture that netted Hill his second Oscar nomination for best supporting actor after Moneyball just three years earlier.—
Josh Spiegel,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Most of the West saw historically poor snowfall over winter, which has significant implications for residents and businesses that depend on the melting snow for irrigation each summer.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
12 Apr. 2026
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The Facebook video post shows the start of the fire, with flames melting through the plastic wrapping of Scott toilet paper cases.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Be aware that certain towns and counties may implement burn bans due to the tinder-dry and hot weather conditions.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The Cubs need more than just Hoerner’s hot hitting to get rolling collectively as an offensive unit.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Avoid broiling delicate greens or dishes with fresh herbs, which will easily char under the heat.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2026
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This matching set of baking dishes includes a large size that's great for making desserts and casseroles, roasting vegetables, marinating meats, broiling fish, and more, and a smaller one for breading and prep work.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
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Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Anytime of day, don’t miss the hazelnut dark chocolate tart or molten chocolate souffle dessert.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2026
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This ultra-reflective look has a molten, resin-like finish that’s elevated by a primal tortoiseshell print.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sweltering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweltering. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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