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Definition of swelter

swelter

/ˈswɛl.tər/
swel · ter
Adverb:swelteringly
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Plural:swelters
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Adjective:sweltering
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Past Simple:sweltered
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Past Participle:sweltered
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Present Participle:sweltering
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swelter Lexical Profile

swelter Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To be uncomfortably hot, languish, or suffer from oppressive heat.

Example

"Commuters had to swelter on the crowded subway platform when the air conditioning failed."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

An uncomfortably or oppressively hot atmosphere, environment, or condition.

Example

"By midday, the hikers sought refuge under the canyon walls to escape the summer swelter."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for swelter

• Nearby Words

swellheaded
swelling
swellshark
swelter
sweltering
swelteringly
swerve

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English swelteren, a frequentative form of swelten ('to perish, faint with heat'), from Old English sweltan ('to die, perish'), which is also the root of the word 'sultry'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Swelter. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/swelter
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