sear

/sɪr/
verb
  1. To burn the surface of something, especially food, with intense heat to seal in flavor.
    • You should sear the chicken before putting it in the oven.
    • The chef seared the steak until it was brown on the outside.
    • He seared the fish fillets in a hot pan with butter.
  2. To burn or scorch the surface of something, causing damage or a mark.
    • The sun seared the grass, turning it brown.
    • The branding iron seared the cow's hide with the ranch symbol.
    • The hot iron seared a hole in the shirt.
  3. To cause a sharp, painful feeling, like a burn.
    • The cold wind seared his cheeks as he walked outside.
    • The spicy chili seared his tongue.
    • The memory of the accident seared her mind forever.
Antonyms
adjective
  1. Dried up or withered, especially from heat or lack of water.
    • The sear landscape offered no shade or water.
    • After weeks of drought, the fields looked sear and brown.
    • The sear leaves crunched underfoot in the dry forest.
Synonyms
What does "sear" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean