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Definition of "swelter" []

  • To suffer from oppressive heat. (verb-intransitive)
  • To affect with oppressive heat. (verb-transitive)
  • Archaic To exude (venom, for example). (verb-transitive)
  • A condition of oppressive heat. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "swelter" in a sentence
  • "The record high "swelter" lasted from July 21-26, making the string of unabated heat the longest high temperatures ever recorded in Wayne County, and residents endured the heat without benefit of air conditioning."
  • "At the rehearsal dinner, au contraire, I will have nothing between me and the elements except my kurta, and will have to hope for swelter."
  • "I'm a bit ill from the most recent increase in my Prazosin dosage, bad timing with this swelter."