searing

searing — adjective

1. A searing heat, light, or physical sensation causes a feeling similar to being b

1.形容詞B2
釋義

A searing heat, light, or physical sensation causes a feeling similar to being burned because of its extreme intensity.

例句

A searing pain shot through Noor's ankle the moment she stepped off the bus.

collocation: searing pain

Caio and Sayaka sought shade under a cliff to escape the searing desert sun.

同義詞
  • scorching

    about heat specifically, especially from the sun or fire; less common for pain

  • blistering

    very hot, often used for sun or heat waves; can also describe speed (blistering pace)

  • intense

    a broader term that covers many kinds of strength; less vivid than searing

  • piercing

    describes sharp pain or sound; overlaps with searing for pain but not for heat

反義詞
  • mild

    gentle in degree, the opposite of extreme heat or pain

  • gentle

    soft and not severe, opposite of searing pain

文法句型

searing + noun (heat, pain, sun, headache)

用法筆記

This sense is frequently used with nouns related to temperature (sun, heat, flame) or pain (pain, headache, agony, sting). It is noticeably stronger than 'very hot' or 'very painful' — searing suggests a burning, damaging quality.

常見錯誤

❌The weather is searing today.
✅The afternoon sun was searing.
💡Searing is most natural with a specific heat source or sensation, not general weather nouns like 'weather' or 'temperature'.

2. A searing remark, review, or piece of writing attacks someone or something with

2.形容詞C1
釋義

A searing remark, review, or piece of writing attacks someone or something with great emotional force and very harsh disapproval.

例句

The journalist wrote a searing report that exposed corruption at the highest levels of government.

collocation: searing report

Folake delivered a searing speech at the town hall, condemning the council's failure to act.

同義詞
  • scathing

    very similar in strength; scathing emphasizes the damage done, while searing emphasizes emotional heat

  • blistering

    overlaps with sense 1 (heat); for criticism, it means delivered with great speed and force

  • withering

    describes a look, remark, or tone that makes someone feel crushed or humiliated

反義詞
  • mild

    gentle in tone; the opposite of harsh criticism

  • praising

    expressing approval rather than attacking

  • gentle

    soft and careful in expression

文法句型

searing + noun (criticism, report, speech, editorial, indictment)

用法筆記

This sense is almost always used attributively (before a noun). The noun is typically an authored work or statement: criticism, report, speech, editorial, review, attack, or indictment. Searing is stronger than 'harsh' — it implies the criticism is emotionally charged and personally wounding.

常見錯誤

❌She gave him a searing stare.
✅She gave him a withering stare.
💡Searing describes words, writing, or speeches, not facial expressions or looks.