sweltering

adjective

swel·​ter·​ing ˈswel-t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce sweltering (audio)
: oppressively hot
swelteringly adverb

Examples of sweltering in a Sentence

the air conditioning was broken, and it was sweltering in the office
Recent Examples on the Web Some places will be more sweltering than others, particularly in parts of Asia. Justine Calma, The Verge, 29 Feb. 2024 Alan, who only gave his first name, was waiting at the bus stop on a sweltering July afternoon for news of her memorial service. Lucy Tompkins Eli Durst, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2024 This is a highly breathable shoe that took inspiration from the support and textile wrapping of their traditional boots, and these were a top pick from our tests in Arizona’s hot climate, maintaining a cool, dry comfort even on the most sweltering days. Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2024 Roman Pizza Tour in New York: Part 3 On a sweltering August day, my family and I traded the crowded cobblestone streets of Florence for Pensione Bencistà, a cozy, historic hotel perched in the neighboring hilltop village of Fiesole. Leila Milgrim, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2023 Especially in the sweltering summer months, the babbling brooks and springs were a cooling reprieve, drawing road-trippers from near and far as the only national park for hundreds of miles. Matt Kirouac, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2023 On a sweltering summer day, three troubled teenagers set out on a reckless plan to escape the confines of their small town. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Dec. 2023 Plus, as a no-bake dessert, this is your friend on a sweltering summer day. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2023 Hiking in the inner canyon between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. is strongly discouraged during more sweltering temperatures. CBS News, 25 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sweltering.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweltering was in 1566

Dictionary Entries Near sweltering

Cite this Entry

“Sweltering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweltering. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sweltering

adjective
swel·​ter·​ing
: very hot
swelteringly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sweltering

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