swelter

1 of 2

verb

swel·​ter ˈswel-tər 

sweltered; sweltering ˈswel-t(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to suffer, sweat, or be faint from heat

2

: to become exceedingly hot

in summer, the place swelters

transitive verb

1

: to oppress with heat

2

archaic : exude

sweltered venom

—William Shakespeare

swelter

2 of 2

noun

1

: a state of oppressive heat

2

: welter

3

: an excited or overwrought state of mind : sweat

in a swelter

Synonyms

Noun

• dither
• fluster
• fret
• fuss
• huff
• lather
• pother
• stew
• sweat
• swivet
• tizzy
• twitter

Examples of swelter in a Sentence

Verb

We were sweltering in the summer heat.

Noun

the set designer spent the entire week before opening night in a swelter

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In the sweltering heat, with temperatures over 100 degrees, the men sat in the back of Brklacich’s electric truck. —Karen Bartunek, The Arizona Republic, 5 Oct. 2024

But beneath the sweltering rhythms and constant references to Black mortality runs a deep pride in the hustle—in the work and effort of survival. —Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024

Noun

Utilities have also grown less predictable, with the state’s usual summer swelter ratcheting up to lethal levels and Dallas’ electricity costs spiking in recent years. —J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 27 Sep. 2024

Oppressive heat As California swelters, climate officials declare Summer 2024 the hottest on record. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sweltren, frequentative of swelten to die, be overcome by heat, from Old English sweltan to die; akin to Goth swiltan to die

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

swelter

1 of 2 verb

swel·​ter ˈswel-tər 

sweltered; sweltering -t(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to suffer, sweat, or be faint from heat

2

: to overcome with heat

swelter

2 of 2 noun

: a state of great heat