searing

American  

[seer-ing] / ˈsɪər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. serving to burn or char the surface of something, especially of food in order to seal in the juices before cooking.

   Sizzle the rump steak over white-hot coals, under a searing grill, or in a blistering griddle pan.

2. burning or scorching.

   The charge exploded prematurely and the truck was engulfed in searing flames.

3. sharp, penetrating, and severe, like the feeling of being burned.

   For weeks now I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night with searing pain in my ankles.

   Her recent documentary was a searing indictment of the crimes of Stalinism.

4. withering or parching.

   Grass that’s allowed to grow long is like a living mulch, protecting and shielding the root system from the searing heat of summer.

5. leaving a permanent emotional scar.

   He was never to recover from the searing experience of what he saw in the war.

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noun

1. the act of burning or charring the surface of something, especially of food.

   The searing of the vegetables and meat should be done over a very hot burner and with excellent ventilation.

2. the act of branding or marking with a hot iron.

   One of his arms was branded like that of a convict, the flesh still swollen from the searing of the iron.

3. the act of hardening or scarring emotionally, or the resulting condition.

   Were it not for the searing of their conscience, they would realize that what they’re doing is wrong.

4. sharp, penetrating, severe pain.

   I tried to ignore the searing in my muscles after hours of paddling against the current.

Etymology

Origin of searing

First recorded in 1350–1400; sear ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; sear ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

Even searing inflation earlier in the 2020s and the resulting higher price levels haven’t derailed spending, despite frustrations about the costs of daily necessities.

From The Wall Street Journal

The searing pain created by his desperate sprint had blocked any sendings he might have received from Tiamat.

From Literature

Christopher felt it before he heard it: a sudden searing, blinding heat, and then a roar, inches from his left shoulder.

From Literature

We wouldn’t be drawn to “Labyrinth” all these years later if Bowie hadn’t poured a searing alloy of androgyny and enigmatic intent into a mold and popped out his Goblin King.

From Salon

The forecast searing temperatures and extreme fire danger forced Tour organisers to abandon the demanding Willunga Hill climbs for safety reasons, reducing the stage to a largely flat 131km from its original 176km.

From Barron's

Related Words

• baking
• blazing
• blistering
• fiery
• incandescent
• scalding
• scorching
• sizzling
• sweltering
• torrid