blistering

American  

[blis-ter-ing] / ˈblɪs tər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing a blister or blisters.

2. (especially of sunlight, heat, etc.) very severe or intense.

3. very fast or rapid.

   a blistering pace.

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noun

1. the act or an instance of forming a blister or blisters.

2. a series or group of blisters, as on a painted surface.

blistering British  

/ -trɪŋ, ˈblɪstərɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of weather) extremely hot

2. (of criticism) extremely harsh

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Other Word Forms

• blisteringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of blistering

First recorded in 1555–65; blister + -ing ²

Example Sentences

These days, a horror film must also be a blistering allegory for real life, with plenty of subtextual significance for the thinking viewer to glom onto.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

That mood has only intensified with the release of its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which opened last week to blistering demand.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

This time, Jackson wrote a blistering dissent—joined by Sotomayor—that seemed to explain her earlier vote, as well.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026

Patients experience severe pain, burning and blistering when they spend even a few minutes in the sun, even with sunscreen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

Plants died and the grasses rotted, cattle and sheep crept to the river that was no more and perished there for lack of water, lizards and squirrels lay prone and gasping in the blistering sunlight.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

Related Words

• fiery
• heated
• scalding
• scorching
• searing
• sizzling
• sweltering
• torrid