searing

/sɪərɪŋ/

/ˈsɪərɪŋ/

When something is intense, it's searing. If you fall while roller skating, the searing pain in your leg is a sign that you've really hurt yourself.

Searing comes from the verb sear, "burn or brand." The searing heat of the sun beating down on a sweltering day might make you seek relief in the icy cold ocean — it's that powerful. This adjective usually describes extreme heat or pain, but you can also use it for similarly intense criticism. Don't let your debate opponent's searing rebuttal fluster you!

Definitions of searing

1. adjective

   extremely hot
   synonyms: fervent, fervid, scalding

   hot

   used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
2. adjective

   intense or sharp
   synonyms: exquisite, keen

   intense

   possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
3. adjective

   severely critical
   synonyms:

   critical

   marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws