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

Explanation

Use the adjective blistering to mean extremely hot. You might love living in Georgia, except for the blistering heat in the summer time. A baker has to remove her loaves of bread carefully from the oven because of the blistering heat. You can also use blistering to mean a different kind of heat: "Her blistering criticism took him by surprise." Or a racer might set out on a track at a blistering pace, one that's incredibly fast or impressive. The original, hot meaning of blistering comes from the idea that something is "hot enough to form blisters."

Example Sentences

Rare earths are so vital for the global economy that they have become a flashpoint in the blistering trade war between the United States and China.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

A few months later, Miller threw the fastest pitch ever recorded in the postseason: a blistering 104.5 mph.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

This blistering outperformance has landed the Dow transports squarely in overbought territory, according to criteria used by most technical analysts.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

A blistering set from British rockers Wet Leg.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

“Come on,” I start leading them out of the blistering maze.

From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Related Words

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