swelter

American  

[swel-ter] / ˈswɛl tər /

verb (used without object)

1. to suffer from oppressive heat.

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verb (used with object)

1. to oppress with heat.

2. Archaic. to exude, as venom.

noun

1. a sweltering condition.

swelter British  

/ ˈswɛltə /

verb

1. (intr) to suffer under oppressive heat, esp to sweat and feel faint

2. archaic (tr) to exude (venom)

3. rare (tr) to cause to suffer under oppressive heat

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noun

1. a sweltering condition (esp in the phrase in a swelter )

2. oppressive humid heat

Other Word Forms

• unsweltered adjective

Etymology

Origin of swelter

1375–1425; late Middle English swelt ( e ) ren (v.), equivalent to swelt ( en ) to be overcome with heat ( Old English sweltan to die; cognate with Old Norse svelta, Gothic swiltan ) + -eren -er ⁶

Example Sentences

Protesters are taking to the streets and likely to grow more restive in the sweltering Cuban summer.

From The Wall Street Journal

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico — It was 2 a.m. when a bus carrying dozens of U.S. deportees heaved into this sweltering city in southern Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times

The sweltering temperatures are arriving months earlier than typical and communities have not had time to acclimate, making the early-season heat particularly dangerous, experts say.

From Los Angeles Times

After a brief reprieve from sweltering temperatures over the weekend, dangerous heat once again descended on the region Monday, bringing a host of warnings from the National Weather Service.

From Los Angeles Times

Heavy infrastructure damage from the U.S. bombing led to chronic and constant failure of the electric and water systems in major cities — making them almost unlivable, especially in the sweltering summers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• broil
• sweat
• wilt