Definitions

boil over

[boil-oh-ver] / ˈbɔɪlˌoʊ vər /

VERB

anger

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aggravate annoy antagonize arouse displease embitter enrage exacerbate exasperate excite incense inflame infuriate irritate offend outrage provoke rankle rile

STRONG

acerbate affront agitate bait boil bristle burn chafe craze cross fret gall goad madden miff nettle pique rant rave ruffle seethe stew tempt umbrage vex

WEAK

blow up burn up egg on get mad get on one's nerves lose one's temper make sore raise hell steam up stir up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid alleviate appease bore calm comfort compose delight help lull make happy pacify placate please quiet soothe tranquilize

STRONG

assist be happy discourage mollify

WEAK

forbear

VERB

bristle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bridle fume seethe

STRONG

boil flare rage rise ruffle spit swell

WEAK

be angry be infuriated be maddened blow up flare up get one's dander up see red stand on end

Antonyms

STRONGEST

be happy

VERB

flare

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blaze break out burn explode flare up flash flicker glow seethe

STRONG

burst dart dazzle flutter fume glare rant shimmer

WEAK

burn up fire up go off lose control shoot up

VERB

lose one's temper

Synonyms

WEAK

become irate blow one's top blow up

VERB

outrage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aggrieve incense infuriate insult scandalize shock

STRONG

affront defile deflower desecrate force injure jar madden maltreat mistreat misuse oppress persecute rape ravage ravish spoil violate

WEAK

burn up do violence to fire up ill-treat kick up a row make hit the ceiling raise Cain reach boiling point whip up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

compliment flatter please praise

STRONG

aid assist gladden help honor make happy sanctify satisfy soothe treat well

WEAK

delight

VERB

rage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blow up erupt rampage roar seethe tear

STRONG

bristle chafe fret fulminate fume overflow rant rave scold scream splutter steam storm surge yell

WEAK

be beside oneself be furious be uncontrollable blow a fuse blow one's top fly off the handle foam at the mouth go berserk have a fit have a tantrum let off steam look daggers make a fuss over rail at rant and rave snap at throw a fit work oneself into sweat

Antonyms

STRONGEST

be calm

STRONG

be quiet compliment flatter praise

WEAK

be happy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And every now and again, it does boil over.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

The action in stocks on Thursday showed just how quickly simmering concerns in one corner of the market can boil over into a large-scale rout.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 5, 2026

Worker unrest could boil over in home country France, largely spared mass layoffs until now, where bosses say they want to slash work-from-home options.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

And when enough people feel shamed into silence and emotionally browbeaten into shutting down, things boil over.

From Slate • Jun. 23, 2025

The fire must be hot enough to keep the sap boiling, but not hot enough to make it boil over.

From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

boil over

Example Sentences

Related Words