as in searing
having a notably high temperature
it was boiling in that car, and the owners had foolishly left their pet in it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in steaming
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
the passengers were boiling when they found out the flight was delayed yet again
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in stewing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of boiling
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
One idea is that about a million years after the Big Bang, the universe cooled and underwent a phase transition, an event similar to how boiling water turns liquid into gas.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Scientific American, 3 Mar. 2020
If candy is still stuck on, pour more boiling water over whatever hasn’t come clean.
—Washington Post, 3 Dec. 2019
The simplest fix could be as easy as boiling water—boil a medium-size pot once or twice per week, and pour down the drain.
—Country Living Staff, Country Living, 14 Oct. 2019
Although boiling water is always a set temperature, eggs coming from the fridge or countertop are not.
—Genevieve Ko, latimes.com, 18 June 2019
Organizers shared tips to help prevent the virus, which include washing hands with soap for more than 30 seconds, eating food that is thoroughly cooked and boiling water before drinking.
—Rachel Axon, USA TODAY Sports, 6 Feb. 2018
More boiling water: Boil water advisories typically happen due to a water main break and/or a loss of pressure in the water system.
—Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press, 24 Oct. 2017
Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Pouring 2 to 3 gallons of boiling water on a fire ant mound will kill the mound about 60% of the time.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Susan Oludele, a braider in New York and Los Angeles, recommends boiling a pot of water, then dipping a towel into it.
—Danielle James, Allure, 22 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
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
Get the recipe > Spoonfuls of buttery dough are cooked in a pot of boiling maple syrup for these rich dumplings.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 15 Apr. 2026
Quinn got that blood boiling on a chilly Monday, powering a two-run homer over the left-center fence to spark the host Mustangs to a 9-4 nonconference win in a game that was moved to Chicago because of wet conditions at Oak Forest.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Blanched Blanching, which involves boiling the food first and then submerging it in cold water, is another healthy method of cooking spinach.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
More humane methods of killing lobsters pre-boiling include a sharp knife through the head, electrical stunning, or freezing.
—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
One idea is that about a million years after the Big Bang, the universe cooled and underwent a phase transition, an event similar to how boiling water turns liquid into gas.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Scientific American, 3 Mar. 2020
If candy is still stuck on, pour more boiling water over whatever hasn’t come clean.
—Washington Post, 3 Dec. 2019
The simplest fix could be as easy as boiling water—boil a medium-size pot once or twice per week, and pour down the drain.
—Country Living Staff, Country Living, 14 Oct. 2019
Although boiling water is always a set temperature, eggs coming from the fridge or countertop are not.
—Genevieve Ko, latimes.com, 18 June 2019
Organizers shared tips to help prevent the virus, which include washing hands with soap for more than 30 seconds, eating food that is thoroughly cooked and boiling water before drinking.
—Rachel Axon, USA TODAY Sports, 6 Feb. 2018
More boiling water: Boil water advisories typically happen due to a water main break and/or a loss of pressure in the water system.
—Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press, 24 Oct. 2017
Verb
One-Pan Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Peas All the creaminess of a traditional chicken alfredo (one of our favorite chicken recipes)—minus the extra pot for boiling the pasta.
—Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Pouring 2 to 3 gallons of boiling water on a fire ant mound will kill the mound about 60% of the time.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Susan Oludele, a braider in New York and Los Angeles, recommends boiling a pot of water, then dipping a towel into it.
—Danielle James, Allure, 22 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
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
Get the recipe > Spoonfuls of buttery dough are cooked in a pot of boiling maple syrup for these rich dumplings.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 15 Apr. 2026
Quinn got that blood boiling on a chilly Monday, powering a two-run homer over the left-center fence to spark the host Mustangs to a 9-4 nonconference win in a game that was moved to Chicago because of wet conditions at Oak Forest.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Blanched Blanching, which involves boiling the food first and then submerging it in cold water, is another healthy method of cooking spinach.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boiling
Adjective
-
Lightly coated with oil and tossed occasionally in a searing hot skillet or wok, even tough beans turn silky, and ready to coat in a finishing blast of chiles.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
One of the most exciting restorations of this year, or any other year, comes to New York this Sunday, May 3rd, with a rare screening of Frank Perry’s searing and lyrical 1969 teen drama Last Summer at the Paris Theater.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Bush and its strike group left its Norfolk, Virginia, homeport on March 31, and took the long route to the Middle East region, steaming around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
-
With the Wild killing a penalty, Marcus Foligno blocked a Matt Duchene shot, then was pushed face-first into the ice by Duchene’s follow-through, coming up bloody and steaming mad.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Detroit Red Wings sat on the bench, stewing in stunned silence, after their latest loss sealed their fate as a franchise relegated to watching the NHL playoffs on TV.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The tomatoes for the shakshouka have been stewing for hours.—
Liam Scott,
Washington Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a lot of controversy swirling around surveillance technology, and Atlanta is a hotbed of it.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Rumors have been swirling that the iPhone's 20th anniversary will bring some big changes for some time.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
And his future, a raging battle between the state courts and the NCAA, will be a bellwether for all college sports.—
Bomani Jones,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Plenty of others haven’t engaged with the book at all, instead using its premise — and ironically, Hathaway’s role as a female producer on the film — as fodder for the ever-raging American culture wars.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fan groups and simmering frustrations For many Americans, the pomp and circumstance of the royals still holds allure.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The decision marks the latest escalation in a long-simmering feud between DeSantis and Perez, who has sought to assert the House’s independence after years in which lawmakers largely aligned with the governor’s priorities.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dubas’ expression might have been emotionless, but inside, his brain was surely churning.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The entire record is a Trojan horse—a clear vision of white womanhood that hides a whole lot of churning, uneasy feelings.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boiling. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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