seared; searing; sears
: to cause withering or drying
1
: to make withered and dry : parch
2
a
: to burn, scorch, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden application of intense heat
b
: to cook the surface of quickly with intense heat
sear a steak
: the catch that holds the hammer of a gun's lock at cock or half cock
Synonyms
Examples of sear in a Sentence
Verb
The tree was seared by lightning.
The flames seared my skin.
The steak was seared over a hot grill.
Recent Examples on the Web
Compiled Bydemocrat Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 16 Apr. 2024
The fear of cancer is understandably seared into the public psyche.
—David Ropeik, STAT, 10 Apr. 2024
Brogdon felt a sharp, searing pain as a bullet tore through his lower torso — below the bulletproof vest that would have otherwise left him with a painful bruise.
—The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024
These changes bring a new level of interpersonal drama to Netflix’s show that isn’t present in the book, especially for Auggie, who’s haunted by visions of a glowing countdown that seems to be seared onto her retinas.
—Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2024
Then Darrell felt a blast of searing heat and a concussive thump at his back, and he was thrown to the ground.
—Ayelet Waldman, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2024
The shocking collapse of the 1.6-mile bridge, seared into the memories of the countless people who viewed video of the ship bearing down on the bridge, was described by officials as an accident.
—Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Climate change has caused searing heat, and increasing frequency and intensity of extremely weather events across the world.
—Jordan Fabian, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2024
If there is a fat cap on the edge of the steak, start by searing that for 2 to 3 minutes until browned.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
Zara Hanawalt, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024
Suitable in the oven or over a grill, stove, and even a campfire, the pre-seasoned skillet retains and evenly distributes heat to do everything from sear steaks to bake fluffy cakes.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
Youngkin also signed identical House and Senate bills prohibiting the manufacture, sale or possession of an auto sear, a device used to convert a semiautomatic firearm into an automatic weapon.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Coat an oven-safe pan with cooking oil on high heat and sear collars skin-side down until browned and crisp.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024
Another would ban auto sears, which convert semi-automatic handguns into automatic weapons.
—Sarah Rankin, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2024
The fractured parts included the tip of the trigger, the sear and the hammer.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
There’s no need for an initial sear on the meat either; that sauce packs more than enough umami flavor.
—Inés Anguiano, Bon Appétit, 13 Feb. 2024
It’s designed with loop handles for easy maneuvering, two drip spouts to help drain grease, and high ridges to create the perfect sear lines.
—Amber C. Snider, Peoplemag, 28 Dec. 2023
Verb
The bombing was a searing experience for the military after 20 years of war in Afghanistan.
—Compiled Bydemocrat Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 16 Apr. 2024
The fear of cancer is understandably seared into the public psyche.
—David Ropeik, STAT, 10 Apr. 2024
Brogdon felt a sharp, searing pain as a bullet tore through his lower torso — below the bulletproof vest that would have otherwise left him with a painful bruise.
—The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024
These changes bring a new level of interpersonal drama to Netflix’s show that isn’t present in the book, especially for Auggie, who’s haunted by visions of a glowing countdown that seems to be seared onto her retinas.
—Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2024
Then Darrell felt a blast of searing heat and a concussive thump at his back, and he was thrown to the ground.
—Ayelet Waldman, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2024
The shocking collapse of the 1.6-mile bridge, seared into the memories of the countless people who viewed video of the ship bearing down on the bridge, was described by officials as an accident.
—Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Climate change has caused searing heat, and increasing frequency and intensity of extremely weather events across the world.
—Jordan Fabian, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2024
If there is a fat cap on the edge of the steak, start by searing that for 2 to 3 minutes until browned.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
Noun
The melodies get under your skin, the lyrics sear, the diss tracks are scathing, and the ballads will break your heart.
—Zara Hanawalt, Parents, 19 Apr. 2024
Suitable in the oven or over a grill, stove, and even a campfire, the pre-seasoned skillet retains and evenly distributes heat to do everything from sear steaks to bake fluffy cakes.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
Youngkin also signed identical House and Senate bills prohibiting the manufacture, sale or possession of an auto sear, a device used to convert a semiautomatic firearm into an automatic weapon.
—Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Coat an oven-safe pan with cooking oil on high heat and sear collars skin-side down until browned and crisp.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024
Another would ban auto sears, which convert semi-automatic handguns into automatic weapons.
—Sarah Rankin, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2024
The fractured parts included the tip of the trigger, the sear and the hammer.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024
There’s no need for an initial sear on the meat either; that sauce packs more than enough umami flavor.
—Inés Anguiano, Bon Appétit, 13 Feb. 2024
It’s designed with loop handles for easy maneuvering, two drip spouts to help drain grease, and high ridges to create the perfect sear lines.
—Amber C. Snider, Peoplemag, 28 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Sear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sear. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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