Definition

Adjective: 1. Excessively hot and humid; causing or characterized by sweating and discomfort: Describes weather, a climate, or an environment that is oppressively and unpleasantly hot, often with high humidity that makes it difficult to breathe or feel cool. 2. Marked by sweating and faintness: Describes a state or condition resulting from exposure to such intense heat.

Usage and Examples

• Describing weather or climate:
  • The sweltry afternoon made everyone seek shade and cold drinks.
  • They endured a sweltry summer in the tropical city.
• Describing an environment or atmosphere:
  • The basement was dark and sweltry.
  • We opened the windows to relieve the sweltry air in the attic.
• Describing a physical state caused by heat:
  • The sweltry conditions left the hikers exhausted. (Here, "sweltry" modifies "conditions," which caused the state.)

Advanced Usage Notes

• "Sweltry" is a descriptive, somewhat literary synonym for "sweltering." It is less common in everyday speech but carries the same intensity.
• It often implies a stagnant, suffocating heat rather than a dry, breezy one.
• The word can be used figuratively to describe a situation that feels oppressive or stifling, though this is less common.
  • The sweltry tension in the meeting room was unbearable.

Variants and Related Words

• Sweltering (adj.): The more frequently used form with identical meaning.
  • a sweltering day
• Swelter (verb): To suffer from or be oppressed by intense heat.
  • Tourists sweltered in the long queues.

Synonyms

• Oppressive: Unpleasantly overwhelming, especially with heat.
• Sultry: Hot and humid (often with a connotation of being still and heavy).
• Stifling: So hot as to make breathing difficult; suffocating.
• Muggy: Warm and damp in an unpleasant way.

Antonyms

• Cool
• Frigid
• Bracing (invigoratingly cool)
• Crisp (pleasantly cool and fresh)

Adjective

1. excessively hot and humid or marked by sweating and faintness
   • a sweltering room
   • sweltering athletes