as in sweat
a state of nervous or irritated concern the set designer spent the entire week before opening night in a swelter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to melt
Related 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 swelter
E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025 Its living room rapidly reached the swelter and volume of a blacksmith’s forge operating as a front for an unlicensed tavern. —Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Deanna Romano, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2026 People hired by the contractors wear extensive protective equipment in the sweltering humidity and must have their blood tested regularly for dioxin. —Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swelter
Noun
On the couch, in the summer swelter, their sticky bodies are inches apart, even as their souls drift. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025 Its living room rapidly reached the swelter and volume of a blacksmith’s forge operating as a front for an unlicensed tavern. —Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Avoid summer, which brings sweltering heat with little shade and peak accommodation prices, or winter, as many guesthouses close in December and January. —Deanna Romano, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2026 People hired by the contractors wear extensive protective equipment in the sweltering humidity and must have their blood tested regularly for dioxin. —Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swelter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swelter
Noun
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Springer says cornstarch can help prevent blisters left by shovels and trowels by drying hand sweat and reducing friction between your skin and the handle.— Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 17 Apr. 2026
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Customers agree that the curved brush lengthens and volumizes their lashes, while the formula is smudge-, flake-, clump-, and sweat-proof.— Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To fill the cracks in all the sculptures, the artist had melted vats of beeswax.— Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
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Again, the whole bite melted on my tongue.— Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For almost a century, since the dawn of mass screen entertainment, society has passed through waves of panic over media’s effects on children, which have often coincided with panics over the effects of various kinds of mothering.— Jean Garnett, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
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Last January, a three-day raid in Kern County where undocumented laborers were arrested set off panic in the Central Valley and other farming regions with large immigrant workforces.— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Lakers were connected, apparently having had time to adjust to the loss of their two leading scorers, LeBron James acting as a brilliant playmaker for scorching hot shooters like Kennard, who hit all five of his treys in scoring a career playoff-high 27 points.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
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After Freddie Freeman scorched a two-out triple to left-center, Karros robbed Hernandez of extra bases with a diving stop and a perfect throw to first for the out.— Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.— Sarah Grant, New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2026
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David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.— Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The kitchen had two notable features—a big cast-iron woodstove on which everything was cooked, and a dishwasher that stood up like a blockhouse, designed to receive trays two feet by two with wire-mesh bottoms and sides four inches high.— John McPhee, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
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Allergic Reactions Gelatin is made by cooking collagen derived from animals, such as cows and pigs.— Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Although there are fancier and allegedly more pet-friendly air fresheners out there, this one is affordable, effective, and fuss-free.— Kayla Blanton, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
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Nineteen even-strength saves, five power-play saves, no muss, no fuss.— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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My job is not to come in and roast.— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
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Using extra virgin olive oil for roasting, sautéing, and frying is safe.— Isabel Vasquez RD LDN, Health, 16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/swelter. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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