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
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
The Rainmaker is a taut thriller driven by relentless cynicism toward the state of the legal profession and simmering rage at the state of the health insurance industry.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
John T. Edge, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
To concentrate the flavor and remove some of the alcohol, pour your white wine into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for simmer
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Verb
The writing has been on the wall for a long time: South Korea’s birth rate has dropped throughout much of the past decade, spelling trouble for the military as regional threats and global conflicts simmer.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
The Rainmaker is a taut thriller driven by relentless cynicism toward the state of the legal profession and simmering rage at the state of the health insurance industry.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
Turn down heat in Dutch oven to medium-low to maintain a simmer; cover with a lid (leaving a crack for steam), and cook until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
—John T. Edge, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
To concentrate the flavor and remove some of the alcohol, pour your white wine into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2025.
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