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

The cataclysm is indelibly seared into La Guaira’s collective consciousness. — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 Over the years, however, the actress has proven herself remarkably versatile, pivoting nimbly from frothy rom-coms and broad comedies to searing dramas, psychological thrillers, and big-budget spectacles. — Chris Bellamy, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026

Noun

And for that classic, crispy char, get yourself some GrillGrates, which sit on existing grill grates to give you a hard sear. — Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026 Place under a broiler for 1 to 2 minutes per side, sear in a hot, dry skillet for 1 to 2 minutes per side or use a bartender’s or chef’s torch to char, until lightly caramelized. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sear

Verb

The ablative heat shield, designed to char upon reentry while keeping the crew safe, had experienced unexpected losses of large chunks during a test flight in late 2022.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
In July 2025, the Dragon Bravo megafire charred nearly 150,000 acres at Grand Canyon National Park.

— Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of char

Verb

Toad facilitators now regularly milk the toad’s glands and dry the extract so it can be smoked, generating potent trips that are said to collapse the ego.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
Uniqlo offers Airism, a collection of light, smooth innerwear, T-shirts and casualwear designed to be cool-to-the-touch, moisture-wicking and fast-drying.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of dry

Noun

Without vegetation, a barren burn scar allows runoff to flow more quickly.

— Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Less than a month later, regulators tagged another nursing home, Cascadia of Nampa, with a fine of nearly $90,000 after inspectors reported a resident was hospitalized and later moved out of state for severe burns.

— Matan Josephy, Idaho Statesman, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of burn

Verb

During the 2016 Chimney Fire, which scorched more than 46,000 acres in the Santa Lucia Range, one of the family’s favorite manzanita trees burned black.

— Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026
Dangerous heat that has scorched the Southwest for days is now spreading to the nation's midsection.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of scorch

Noun

An autopsy revealed Gocaj’s cause of death as a combination of scald burns with inhalational thermal injury and blunt force trauma of the torso.

— Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026
Donike Goncaj, 56, fell into the manhole at 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue on May 18 and died of scald burns and thermal inhalation from the steam.

— Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Definition of scald

Noun

Earlier this year, an open letter from agency leadership warned against using federal funds to buy harm reduction supplies like sterile syringes and pipes, or to distribute test strips for common drug supply contaminants.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
The harm caused by the delays spurred immigration attorneys and advocates in the state to send a letter to Chief Judge Sul Ozerden in March about the habeas bottleneck.

— Carla Astudillo, ProPublica, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of harm

Noun

That’s why losing her hurts so much Duncan Hines and Parton expanded the product line a year later, adding Dolly Parton's Buttermilk Biscuit Mix and Sweet Cornbread & Muffin Mix, plus a Fabulously Fudgy Brownie Mix and Caramel Turtle Brownie Mix.

— Mike Snider, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
The right mix of true and imagined can give the simplest of humane narratives — in this case, the possibility of renewal in an epidemic of hurt — a fresher chance to touch us.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurt

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seaquakes

sear

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Style

“Sear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sear. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sear

verb

noun

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