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 grilled Spam and cheese sliders ($16), with thin slices of Spam seared crisp served on Hawaiian buns with pineapple-jalapeno chutney, are a flavor bomb. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026 But a little more than a minute after launch, the shuttle exploded, sending jagged plumes across the sky creating an image that would be seared into collective memory. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Noun

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 Gas stoves are particularly bad offenders, but even electric stoves release particles into the air when food sizzles, sears, or smokes. — Angela Haupt, Time, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sear

Verb

Add the lemon halves, cut-sides down, and cook until charred on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
San Diego Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Dan Eddy said the fire began in a canyon area near where a brush fire in June had charred about 90 acres.

— Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of char

Verb

That means my greasy microfiber cloths do get washed with my cotton drying towels, along with oven mitts, linen napkins, and the seat pads for my counter stools (my kids somehow manage to trash them every week).

— Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
Once your produce is fully dried, store it in an airtight container so moisture cannot creep back in.

— Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of dry

Noun

Heavy rains in burn scar areas can pose serious threats of flash flooding, and the sheriff's office asked residents to take precautions around the scarred areas.

— Christa Swanson, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Firefighters brought the blaze under control and the injured were taken to a hospital where some were being treated for burn injuries while others suffered from smoke inhalation and asphyxiation, the report said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of burn

Verb

Apparent human skeletal remains, including a jaw with the teeth still attached, were found at Lake Mead on Sunday, officials said, as water levels sink to new lows amid a drought and scorching heat in the West.

— Mark Osborne, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Highs Friday topped out at a cool 79 degrees for Sacramento, 85 for Modesto, and only 91 for normally-scorching Fresno.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 17 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

State prosecutors could argue that the federal stalking charges and its murder case address two different harms.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
Filed jointly with the WGA West and East branches, the guild’s suit claims the merger violates antitrust law and would inflict irreparable harm on industry scribes.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of harm

Noun

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
Continuing to dwell on this hurt will not be helpful at this point.

— Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurt

Browse Nearby Words

seaquakes

sear

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“Sear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sear. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sear

verb

noun

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