blistering

adjective

blis·​ter·​ing ˈbli-st(ə-)riŋ 

1

: extremely intense or severe

blistering heat

2

: very rapid

a blistering pace

blistering adverb

blisteringly

ˈbli-st(ə-)riŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• acute
• almighty
• deep
• dreadful
• excruciating
• explosive
• exquisite
• fearful
• fearsome
• ferocious
• fierce
• frightful
• furious
• ghastly
• hard
• heavy
• heavy-duty
• hellacious
• intense
• intensive
• keen
• profound
• terrible
• vehement
• vicious
• violent

Examples of blistering in a Sentence

a hockey player with a blistering slap shot

even after a blistering attack from the enemy, the fortress held

Recent Examples on the Web

Shortly after receiving the news, the director took to Instagram with a blistering acceptance message. —Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025

Led by Scottish brothers Jim and William Reid, the Jesus and Mary Chain delivered a blistering set of classics and new material from their latest and fine studio album Glasgow Eyes. —David Chiu, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024

David Pastrnak has been a one-man wrecking crew, tallying goals at a blistering pace. —Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

At the racetrack, that performance envelope helped this sports car charge at a blistering, consistent 350-KW rate and a peak of about 380 KW; despite both car and charger being held to a constant 500-amp current over most of the charging curve, the lower end of potential voltage. —IEEE Spectrum, 15 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

blistering

adjective

1

: very intense

blistering heat

2

: very fast

a blistering pace