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View synonyms for

sear

1

[ seer ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to burn or char the surface of:

    She seared the steak to seal in the juices.

  2. to mark with a branding iron.
  3. to burn or scorch injuriously or painfully:

    He seared his hand on a hot steam pipe.

  4. to harden or scar emotionally:

    The traumatic experiences of her youth have permanently seared her.

  5. to dry up or wither; parch.


verb (used without object)

  1. to become dry or withered, as vegetation.

noun

  1. a mark or scar made by searing.

adjective

sear

2

[ seer ]

noun

  1. a pivoted piece that holds the hammer at full cock or half cock in the firing mechanism of small arms.

sear

1

/ ɪə /

verb

  1. to scorch or burn the surface of
  2. to brand with a hot iron
  3. to cause to wither or dry up
  4. rare.
    to make callous or unfeeling
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a mark caused by searing
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. poetic.
    dried up
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sear

2

/ ɪə /

noun

  1. the catch in the lock of a small firearm that holds the hammer or firing pin cocked
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ܲ·𲹰 adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sear1

First recorded before 900; Middle English adjective ser(e), Old English ŧ; cognate with Dutch zoor; the verb is derivative of the adjective

Origin of sear2

First recorded in 1550–60; from Middle French serre “a grip,” derivative of serrer “to lock up, close,” ultimately from Late Latin “to bar (a door)”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sear1

Old English ŧ to become withered, from ŧ withered; related to Old High German ōŧ, Greek hauos dry, Sanskrit ō drought

Origin of sear2

C16: probably from Old French serre a clasp, from serrer to hold firmly, from Late Latin ŧ to bolt, from Latin sera a bar
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Synonym Study

See burn 1.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The trauma of it is seared into his memory.

From

The soup base can also be incorporated with heavy cream to make a decadent, spring-themed pasta sauce that pairs well with seafood, like grilled salmon or pan seared shrimp.

From

"RoboCop" is a searing indictment of Reaganism and a type of religious politics which claims that greed is good and is some type of salvation and eucharist.

From

However, Norris was searingly honest about his sixth-place qualifying performance last week, saying he felt "clueless" and like he had "never driven an F1 car before".

From

How to sear into a reader’s brain the profound calamity of a dozen savage killings?

From

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