Seething: meaning, definitions and examples

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seething

[ˈsiːðɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

emotion

In a state of extreme anger or agitation.

Synonyms

angry, furious, irate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
seething	Used to describe someone who is quietly but intensely angry, often containing their anger just below the surface. She was seething with anger, but she didn't say a word during the meeting. He stood there, seething, as he watched his brother take all the credit for his work.
furious	Describes a very high level of anger, almost to the point of rage; used when someone is extremely angry. The manager was furious when he discovered the significant error in the report. She was furious with her sister for forgetting her birthday.
angry	A general term for feeling strong displeasure or hostility. It can be used in a wide range of situations. She was angry when she found out her friend had lied to her. He became angry after someone cut him off in traffic.
irate	Used to describe someone who is extremely angry, often in a formal or official context. It implies a more controlled but intense anger. The customer was irate after waiting for an hour to be served. An irate letter was sent to the company, demanding an explanation for the poor service.

Examples of usage

She was seething with rage after the argument.
The crowd was seething with excitement at the concert.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

water

To bubble up as a result of being boiled.

Synonyms

boil, bubble, simmer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
seething	Used to describe a person who is extremely angry but tries to keep it inside. It can also refer to a place filled with intense activity or emotions. He was seething with anger after the unfair decision. The room was seething with excitement before the concert.
boil	Typically describes a liquid that is heated to the point of reaching its boiling temperature. Can also refer to someone becoming very angry, often rapidly. The water started to boil after a few minutes on the stove. She felt her blood boil when she heard the insulting comment.
bubble	Refers to the formation of bubbles in a liquid or a person feeling a gradually increasing, but still contained, emotion or excitement. The soup began to bubble gently on the stove. He could feel the excitement bubble up inside him as the game began.
simmer	Used for cooking to describe heating a liquid just below boiling point. Can also describe keeping emotions (particularly anger) quietly restrained. Let the sauce simmer for ten minutes to blend the flavors together. She let her frustration simmer all day without saying a word.

Examples of usage

The pot was seething with water on the stove.
The hot springs seethed with bubbles.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'seething' comes from Old English 'siþan', meaning to boil or surge, reflecting its connection to boiling liquids.
Historically, it has been used since the 14th century to describe both angry feelings and boiling water, showcasing the dual nature of the term.
In some dialects, variations of the word emphasize the bubbling action, often used metaphorically to describe intense emotions.

Psychology

Seething often indicates suppressed emotions; when people don't express their anger, it can lead to internal stress.
Research suggests that the act of seething can increase feelings of frustration if not addressed, leading to a potential emotional outburst.
Understanding one’s feelings of seething can be a crucial step in emotional regulation and finding peaceful resolutions in conflicts.

Literature

Seething emotions are commonly depicted in literature as characters face moral dilemmas or injustices, enhancing the tension in the story.
In classic works, a character's seething rage can foreshadow violent events, creating anticipation for the reader.
Poetry often captures the intensity of seething feelings with vivid imagery and strong verbs, highlighting the internal struggle.

Pop Culture

The term 'seething' is frequently used in modern media to describe characters on the verge of explosion, making it relatable to audiences.
In film and television, a character seething in anger is often a pivotal moment that leads to dramatic conflict or resolution.
Musicians have described feelings of seething in their lyrics as a means to express complex emotions and connect with listeners.

Science

Seething isn't just used to describe emotions; in chemistry, it refers to the agitation of particles in a boiling substance, indicating energy transfer.
In environmental science, the 'seething' earth can describe active geological areas, like volcanoes, that are literally bubbling with potential eruptions.
In physics, the concept of seething can represent chaotic systems where temperature and pressure fluctuations lead to unpredictable outcomes.

Translations

Translations of the word "seething" in other languages:

🇵🇹 feroz

🇮🇳 उबलता

🇩🇪 kochend

brodelnd
wütend

🇮🇩 mendidih

🇺🇦 киплячий

🇵🇱 kipiący

🇯🇵 沸騰する

🇫🇷 bouillonnant

🇪🇸 hirviente

🇹🇷 kaynama

🇰🇷 끓는

🇸🇦 يغلي

🇨🇿 vroucí

🇸🇰 vriaci

🇨🇳 沸腾的

🇸🇮 vre

🇮🇸 sjóðandi

🇰🇿 қайнап жатқан

🇬🇪 მოხარშული

🇦🇿 qaynayan

🇲🇽 hirviente

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,870, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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19867 nicer
19868 unremitting
19869 calculi
19870 seething
19871 foetal
19872 dentition
19873 pry
...