as in boiling
to cook in a liquid heated to the point that it gives off steam
I gently simmered the chili for an hour
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Recent Examples of simmering
In other words, the drug may not create the problem from scratch so much as unmask or worsen one that was already simmering.
—
Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Place chocolate in a bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water.
—Martha Stewart, 13 June 2026
With Ethan Hawke's newbie simmering against the go-for-broke finesse of Denzel Washington's very bad, no-good officer, Training Day revels in tension, with washes of blue and green augmenting scenes where Hawke is bullied into getting high.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
The aroma of food simmering on the stove, for instance, can trigger the brain to send signals to the pancreas, which in turn releases insulin into the bloodstream.
—Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones—such as chicken, beef, or fish—in water for an extended period of time.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 12 June 2026
The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, after long-simmering tensions between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF.
—ABC News, 11 June 2026
The detective has no illusions about the rot, misogyny and rancid behavior simmering within the police force.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 June 2026
Few people do simmering panic as nimbly as Sarah Goldberg.
—Sarah Rodman, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Place chocolate in a bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water.
—Martha Stewart, 13 June 2026
With Ethan Hawke's newbie simmering against the go-for-broke finesse of Denzel Washington's very bad, no-good officer, Training Day revels in tension, with washes of blue and green augmenting scenes where Hawke is bullied into getting high.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
The aroma of food simmering on the stove, for instance, can trigger the brain to send signals to the pancreas, which in turn releases insulin into the bloodstream.
—Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones—such as chicken, beef, or fish—in water for an extended period of time.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 12 June 2026
The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, after long-simmering tensions between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF.
—ABC News, 11 June 2026
The detective has no illusions about the rot, misogyny and rancid behavior simmering within the police force.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 June 2026
Few people do simmering panic as nimbly as Sarah Goldberg.
—Sarah Rodman, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simmering
Verb
-
Use kosher salt when seasoning, roasting, brining, pickling, baking, or even just boiling water for your favorite pasta recipe.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 June 2026
-
The boiling water creates intense thermal shock that instantly ruptures the plant's cell walls, melting its protective waxy coating and causing the foliage to collapse and dehydrate, effectively cooking the plant tissue.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
This idea’s been stewing in my brain ever since.—
Olivier Lafontant,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
-
Something about her kept stewing in my head.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Simmering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simmering. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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