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
Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026
The long-simmering rivalry between Sunni and Shiite Muslims erupted into a civil war that killed tens of thousands of civilians.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Morton kosher salt, and 5 cups water to pot and bring to a simmer.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for simmer
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Verb
This conflict has been simmering for 47 years.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026
The long-simmering rivalry between Sunni and Shiite Muslims erupted into a civil war that killed tens of thousands of civilians.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until gastrique is the consistency of maple syrup, about 25 minutes.
—C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Morton kosher salt, and 5 cups water to pot and bring to a simmer.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for simmer
Cite this Entry
“Simmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simmer. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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