1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

white heat

noun

Definition of white heatnext
as in intensity
depth of feeling claims that the novel was written at white heat in a tremendous, unbroken burst of creativity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 white heat In the white heat of wanting something so badly, self begins to melt. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 June 2024 Things are at white heat in all that part of the country and the citizens are almost demoralized. — Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 15 May 2024 Empty days of blinding white heat gave way to nights of blood and ferment. — Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023 Throughout the 1980s, the Islamic Republic forged itself in the white heat of conflict, both foreign and domestic. — Laura Secor, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2013
Recent Examples of Synonyms for white heat
  1. intensity
  2. enthusiasm
  3. emotion
  4. warmth
  5. violence
Noun
  • From increasing the intensity of wildfire seasons to worsening natural disasters, climate change is far from a distant future.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But as the leaves begin to change color, so does the intensity that comes with September baseball.
    — Jesús Cano, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensity
Noun
  • The convention -- part rally, part fundraiser -- comes as Republicans try to boost enthusiasm heading into the final stretch before Election Day.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The move was sure to spark criticism that the president was paying Americans to vote Republican as the party struggles to match Democrats’ enthusiasm and faces a challenging midterm outlook.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of enthusiasm
Noun
  • An advanced ovarian cancer diagnosis can turn life upside down — often bringing a flood of new terms, decisions and emotions all at once.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 9 Sep. 2026
  • During a previous appearance on the Off the Vine podcast, Thurston revealed her complex emotions about not being able to carry a child after her breast cancer diagnosis.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of emotion
Noun
  • Soft neutral tones are lifted by a curved leather-and-wood headboard, striking blue wall art inspired by traditional Turkish textiles and elegant pendant lighting that gives the room warmth rather than hotel uniformity.
    — Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Teacher kept her friends for a lifetime Barbara Edwards, 58, who grew up in Wyoming, near Grand Rapids, was a woman of character and warmth.
    — Sheryl Lee, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of warmth
Noun
  • Because colonial powers have always feared the child who survives its violence and continues to imagine a sky beyond its rule.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • North Carolina Democrats in the state’s House of Representatives cut all ties with one of their candidates running for the state legislature after her past social media posts about violence against Republicans came to light.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of violence

Browse Nearby Words

whiteheads
white heat
white-hot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“White heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/white%20heat. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of quorum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All