smolder

verb

smol·​der ˈsmōl-dər How to pronounce smolder (audio)
variants or smoulder
smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering ˈsmōl-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce smolder (audio)

intransitive verb

1
a
: to burn sluggishly, without flame, and often with much smoke
b
: to be consumed by smoldering
often used with out
2
: to exist in a state of suppressed activity
hostilities smoldered for years
3
: to show suppressed anger, hate, or jealousy
eyes smoldering with hate

Examples of smolder in a Sentence

The remains of the campfire smoldered. Her eyes smoldered with anger. Anger smoldered in my heart.
Recent Examples on the Web While the fire on-site has been secure since the night of the explosions, Township Supervisor Bob Cannon confirmed that the flames are still smoldering, pushing the start of the investigation into next week, when the site becomes safe for their team to enter. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 8 Mar. 2024 The promise that magnesium can soothe, ground and calm us — like a gravity blanket for the mind — is especially alluring in anxious times when prices are surging, wars fill the news and the embers of the pandemic are still smoldering. Adam Markovitz, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The depleted brigade fled west this weekend, surrendering the smoldering city to the similarly depleted, but more numerous, Russian regiments and brigades. David Axe, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 What really brings the whole look together in my opinion is her frosty makeup, featuring a smoldering silver smoky eye and a glossy bright pink lip. Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2024 Williams said the fire will continue to smolder for an undetermined amount of time before the fire marshal’s office can get into the house to investigate. Clarence Williams, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2024 The fire is expected to continue to smolder and was still an active scene, Williams said Friday night. Phil Helsel, NBC News, 17 Feb. 2024 Here's what happened As of 2 p.m. Thursday, firefighters were putting out smoldering flareups. Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2024 That might have been the moment, Englefield says, when Manor lit the fuse — igniting his plot for revenge that had smoldered for years. Natalie Morales, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smolder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English smolderen to smother, from smolder smoke, smudge; akin to Middle Dutch smōlen to smolder

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of smolder was in 1529

Dictionary Entries Near smolder

Cite this Entry

“Smolder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smolder. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

smolder

1 of 2 noun
smol·​der
variants or smoulder
ˈsmōl-dər
: a slow smoky fire

smolder

2 of 2 verb
variants or smoulder
smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering
-d(ə-)riŋ
1
: to burn slowly with smoke and usually without flame
fire was smoldering in the pit
2
: to exist or continue in a hidden or controlled state
discontent smoldered for years before the revolt
3
: to burn inwardly
anger smoldered in my heart
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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