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Synonyms

blistering

American  
[blis-ter-ing] / ˈblɪs tər ɪŋ /

adjective

  1. causing a blister or blisters.

  2. (especially of sunlight, heat, etc.) very severe or intense.

  3. very fast or rapid.

    a blistering pace.

noun

  1. the act or an instance of forming a blister or blisters.

  2. a series or group of blisters, as on a painted surface.

blistering British  
/ -trɪŋ, ˈblɪstərɪŋ /

adjective

  1. (of weather) extremely hot

  2. (of criticism) extremely harsh

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • blisteringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of blistering

First recorded in 1555–65; blister + -ing 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These days, a horror film must also be a blistering allegory for real life, with plenty of subtextual significance for the thinking viewer to glom onto.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

This time, Jackson wrote a blistering dissent—joined by Sotomayor—that seemed to explain her earlier vote, as well.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026

"England were blistering - their pace, their skill, their intensity, their physicality and they had a genuine chance of winning," said former England scrum-half Matt Dawson on BBC Radio 5 Live.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

At 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds he’s not big for the position, and according to a school release ran the 40 in 4.46 seconds, which is fast but not blistering.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

Harry swallowed a large amount of very hot soup and thought he could feel his throat blistering.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.