sear
9 synonyms and 1 antonym for sear, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To burn or scorch the surface of something with intense heat.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To burn or scorch the surface of something with intense heat.
“Sear the steak on high heat for two minutes on each side.”
2. adjective
Dried up or withered, especially of plants.
“By late summer the grass had turned sear and brittle.”
Opposites
How to use sear
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sear the meat
searing heat
searing pain
Etymology
From Old English sēar ("dry, withered"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "dry, parched."
Full origin of sear →Frequently asked questions
What does “sear” mean?
The word “sear” means to burn or scorch the surface of something with intense heat. In plain terms, most often used in cooking, meaning to brown the outside of meat quickly over high heat.
How do you pronounce “sear”?
“Sear” is pronounced seer (/sɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sear” in a sentence?
Here is “sear” used in a sentence: “Sear the steak on high heat for two minutes on each side.”
What part of speech is “sear”?
Depending on how it is used, “sear” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “sear” come from?
The word “sear” comes from Old English. From Old English sēar ("dry, withered"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "dry, parched.".
How many meanings does “sear” have?
“Sear” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to burn or scorch the surface of something with intense heat.
