Sear (Verb)
Meaning 1
Burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color; "The cook blackened the chicken breast"; "The fire charred the ceiling above the mantelpiece"; "the flames scorched the ceiling".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- They simply sear the fish on a hot skillet for a minute on each side to give it a nice crust.
- Searing a steak at the beginning helps lock in the juices while it cooks.
- A high-heat pan can quickly sear a scallop to a perfect golden brown.
- Heat was turned up so high that it started to sear the pan itself and created burn marks.
- They use a flamethrower to quickly sear the outside of the meat for that smoky texture.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Meaning 2
Make very hot and dry; "The heat scorched the countryside".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The intense desert sun would sear the dry earth, turning it into a barren wasteland.
- A burst of flames from the wildfire began to sear the side of the nearby building.
- Temperatures above 100°F can sear a car's leather seats in a matter of minutes.
- Leaving the garden hose turned off for weeks can sear the grass, causing it to turn brown and wither.
- During the heatwave, the downtown area was particularly vulnerable to the sun's rays, which could sear people's skin within minutes.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
Become superficially burned; "my eyebrows singed when I bent over the flames".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- Her hand would sear on the hot exhaust of the motorcycle without proper protection.
- The lack of vegetation let the intense desert sun sear my skin after just a short walk outside.
- If you get too close to the rocket engine, your clothes can sear from the heat and flames.
- Holding the scorching metalwork without a glove would sear the delicate flesh of your palm.
- The intense heat of the foundry made the workers put protective gear on so that their skin wouldn't sear.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 4
Cause to wither or parch from exposure to heat; "The sun parched the earth".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The dry desert winds began to sear the grass as the drought wore on.
- The intense heat from the wildfire would sear anything that crossed its path.
- Summer heatwaves can sear gardens if proper precautions are not taken beforehand.
- A combination of climate change and pollution may sear entire ecosystems in the future.
- Lack of rainfall in these areas will oftentimes continue to sear the land relentlessly.