adjective

searing

SEER-rihng

Searing (adjective) means Extremely hot, or (of pain, criticism, or emotion) intensely sharp and forceful. Example: “The desert sun was searing by midday.”

adjective

Extremely hot, or (of pain, criticism, or emotion) intensely sharp and forceful.

"The desert sun was searing by midday."

"The critic wrote a searing review of the new restaurant."

How to use searing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPainfully intense — used for heat, pain, or harsh criticism.

Common pairings

searing heat searing pain searing criticism

Word forms

searings plural, Searings plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “searing” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The desert sun was _____ by midday.

Rhymes for searing

daring caring baring raring Waring hearing bearing wearing sharing staring roaring tearing

See all rhymes for searing →

Frequently asked questions

What does “searing” mean?

The word “searing” means extremely hot, or (of pain, criticism, or emotion) intensely sharp and forceful. In plain terms, painfully intense — used for heat, pain, or harsh criticism.

How do you pronounce “searing”?

“Searing” is pronounced SEER-rihng (/ˈsɪəɹɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “searing” in a sentence?

Here is “searing” used in a sentence: “The desert sun was searing by midday.”

What part of speech is “searing”?

“Searing” is an adjective.