SEAR Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

sear 1 of 2

verb

ˈsir

Definition of sear

as in to char

to burn on the surface lightly sear the steaks, but don't cook them all the way through

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to dry

to make dry the clear desert air is seared by the summer sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sear

2 of 2

noun

as in burn

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 sear

Verb

Maker’s expanded its lineup with the Wood Finishing Series in 2019, releasing a series of bourbons given unique stave finishes over the ensuing years using different types of wood that are seared to different levels. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026 Restaurant Au Goût du Large serves up fresh seafood like seared scallops, mussels, and the classic fish and chips. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2026

Noun

My friends are just happy to gather; no one is scrutinizing the sear on the scallops or the cook on the pasta. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026 Plus, the grill includes a warming rack, a dedicated sear zone, and an infrared rotisserie burner. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sear

Verb

Police on Tuesday arrested a suspect in the arson attack that charred the historic city hall in Limoges, in central France, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said, adding that the person may not have acted alone.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Char on all sides for 5 to 8 minutes, rotating as each side gets charred.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of char

Verb

That gives the gin a pale yellow color, and adds barrel notes of oak and dried fruit to a palate shaped by botanicals including juniper, queen of the night (a nocturnal cactus flower), coriander seed, Damask rose, and Nigerian ginger.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
About a month after the ink dried on that contract, Kim, who had slipped on ice and fallen while in his native Korea, had surgery to repair a tendon on his right middle finger.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of dry

Noun

After deploying its payloads, Zhuque’s upper stage performed a burn to slow its velocity and drop out of orbit.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
After first-stage separation, the upper stage will perform the burns needed to send MMX toward Mars.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of burn

Verb

The Norte fire — the most devastating blaze — scorched more than 570 acres in residential neighborhoods in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, damaging or destroying at least six homes.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
That was the update last week at a meeting of the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG), a confab of scientists whose research interests focus on the scorching world just sunward from Earth.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of scorch

Noun

Firefighters began to gain the upper hand on the fire throughout Saturday afternoon, keeping the flames within the burn scar and building containment lines around the fire.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
This is a city full of glittering theater marquees and mint midcentury signage, and ringed with rail yards and the scars of an industrial center remade for human scale.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of scar

Noun

Alcohol flows, rivalries scald, and humiliations pile up—a few prove transformative, while the rest are swallowed like medicine.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
If a peace lily’s leaves turn brown, this may be sun scald due to too much sun.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of scald

Noun

Unlike Hamas, which deliberately targets Israeli civilians, the IDF takes all feasible precautions to mitigate harm to civilians and operates under a structured targeting framework designed to ensure the identification of lawful military objectives.

— Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
And this week, a group of eight states specifically sued OpenAI over consumer harms, Reuters reported.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of harm

Browse Nearby Words

seaquakes

sear

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Style

“Sear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sear. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sear

verb

noun

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