seethe

[ seeth ]

verb (used without object)

, seethed or (Obsolete) sod; seethed or (Obsolete) sod·den or sod; seeth·ing.

1. to surge or foam as if boiling.
2. to be in a state of agitation or excitement.
3. Archaic. to boil.

verb (used with object)

, seethed or (Obsolete) sod; seethed or (Obsolete) sod·den or sod; seeth·ing.

1. to soak or steep.
2. to cook by boiling or simmering; boil.

noun

1. the act of seething.
2. the state of being agitated or excited.

seethe

/ siːð /

verb

1. intr to boil or to foam as if boiling
2. intr to be in a state of extreme agitation, esp through anger
3. tr to soak in liquid
4. archaic.
   tr to cook or extract the essence of (a food) by boiling

noun

1. the act or state of seething

Other Words From

• seeth·ing·ly adverb
• un·seethed adjective
• un·seeth·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of seethe¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sēothan; cognate with German sieden, Swedish sjuda

Word History and Origins

Origin of seethe¹

Old English sēothan; related to Old Norse sjōtha, Old High German siodan to seethe

Synonym Study

See boil ¹.

Example Sentences

The very short headline set was pretty typical Carti–ripping live metal guitars, frantic redlined vocals and a scrum of new cuts like “Ketamine” that seethed with tension and circle-pit chaos.

From Los Angeles Times

He embodies that seething, alienated rage of people who feel like they’ve been left to rot in the dark corners of the country, unseen, unheard and hopeless for far too long.

From Salon

The Croatian's final match in charge was a 3-2 home defeat by Bologna - when a lifeless on-pitch performance was juxtaposed with the anger of seething fans in the stands.

From BBC

Jonathan, the neighbour, encapsulated the seething anger millions of Spaniards are feeling.

From BBC

And she seethed at the idea that anyone would question the citizenship of a former federal employee with the “whitest name you could have.”

From Salon

Related Words

• boil
• bristle
• flare
• fume
• simmer
• smolder