boil 1 of 2

Definition of boilnext
as in blister
a small, inflamed swelling of the skin the dermatologist lanced the infected boil that had formed on the patient's neck

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boil

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to steam
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger the passengers were boiling when they found out the flight was delayed yet again

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2
as in to stew
to cook in a liquid heated to the point that it gives off steam boil the potatoes until they are tender before you try to mash them

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3
as in to churn
to be in a state of violent rolling motion the sea boiled and frothed during the storm

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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 boil
Noun
Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower heat to simmer, cover pot and allow onions to get soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026 Bring water to a simmer, not a rolling boil. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
When asked why some of the most successful people on Earth would willingly subject themselves to the harsh conditions seen in the show’s promos — such as eating snakes or boiling water to avoid illness — Grylls said, for these stars, the appeal is about authenticity. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026 After cooking down the butter and seasonings, the next step is adding live crawfish to the mix and boiling them. Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boil
Noun
  • Plus, the sockliner provides a soft, sweat-wicking barrier to keep me comfortable and blister-free on my most active days.
    Kayla Kitts, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026
  • But sometimes globalization is good, and my favorite blister patches have started to experience a widespread retail presence in the last few years—this might be in part due to an acquisition by HRA Pharma in 2017, which expanded the product to over 90 countries.
    Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That is a steaming hot pile of garbage.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Dinners take place in traditional nomad tents around the communal fire pit, and range from steaming hot pots with yak meat, mushrooms and tofu to haute-Tibetan tasting menus with wild vegetables in corn foam, tsampa grissini, and lamb shoulder with yak yogurt glaze and salsa verde.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The same applies to leeks poached in white wine or green beans stewed with bacon.
    Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The Pistons watched tape and stewed for two days.
    David Aldridge, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Still, Mumford rightly notes that their famous books are churning with deep meaning beneath their surface symbols.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Long story short, churning, in various forms, has been around for a while.
    Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Spoiler alert: The monster is definitely real, a lion-bear hybrid covered in disgusting bloody pustules.
    Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
  • In fact, one of the most common triggers of rosacea, which is characterized by flushing, swelling, spider veins, papules, and pustules, is exposure to sunlight.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency rescinded several longstanding environmental regulations, including gutting the 2009 endangerment finding and rolling back air quality standards for coal-burning power plants, which advocates say will cause irreparable harm.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The cladding on the house is called Shou Sugi Ban, which is a Japanese process of preserving wood by pre-burning it and then staining it to [create a durable, fire-retardant material].
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The eruptions – yours, the partner’s – suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The eruptions — yours, the partner’s — suggest that there’s a lot that’s been simmering underneath your interactions.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Next up was the Reese’s ice cream, which used a chocolate base with peanut butter swirled throughout.
    Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Formula 1 races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain were canceled and rumors swirled around whether future WWE events could be held in the kingdom.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boil. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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