simmered; simmering
ˈsi-mə-riŋ 
ˈsim-riŋ
1
: to stew gently below or just at the boiling point
: to cook slowly in a liquid just below the boiling point
Examples of simmer in a Sentence
Verb
Simmer the stew for 40 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
The chicken was simmered in a cream sauce.
The dispute simmered for years before any progress was made.
It's a debate that has simmered for 30 years and is likely to continue.
Long-simmering tensions between the two groups eventually sparked violence.
Noun
Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Partially cover the pot and gently simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
Bring to a simmer, stirring consistently (mixture will thicken), then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until potatoes are fork tender or to your preference, about 20 minutes.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for simmer
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Verb
That tension has been simmering for years, but erupted over the summer, leaving dozens of civilians and soldiers dead.
—Deepa Shivaram, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Partially cover the pot and gently simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Reduce to a lively simmer over medium-low.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
Bring to a simmer, stirring consistently (mixture will thicken), then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until potatoes are fork tender or to your preference, about 20 minutes.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for simmer
Cite this Entry
“Simmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simmer. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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