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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• blisteringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of blistering

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

Example Sentences

He experimented with a variety of change-ups, searching across the seams in the hopes of finding a suitable alternative to his blistering fastball.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

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

Fourteen years later, Pierce scored at a blistering pace, yet because someone had stolen his jersey, he played a portion of the game with the name “McCoy” on the back.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Ernest’s response contrasted sharply with that of Compton, who sat for a blistering daylong deposition by the Tribune’s lawyers without wavering for a moment in his defense of Kamen.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• fiery
• heated
• scalding
• scorching
• searing
• sizzling
• sweltering
• torrid