variants
or smoulder
1
as in to anger
to be excited or emotionally stirred up with anger
She smoldered when first learning of her son's misbehavior at school, but had calmed down by the time he arrived home.
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2
as in to blaze
to be on fire usually with smoke but few flames
They look forward to those long summer nights telling stories beside a smoldering campfire.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smolder
The coincidence suggested that a smoldering root or ember, not fully extinguished, might have been resuscitated by the dry wind.
—
Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Three months later, with the rubble still smoldering, Mayor-elect Mike Bloomberg called to ask me to become health commissioner.
—Tom Frieden, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2025
Mount Bromo Take in the epic sights of Mount Bromo, a smoldering active volcano two hours from the city of Malang.
—Desiree Norman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
While this smoldering cosmic ember state represents the end for single stars going out with a whimper rather than a bang, white dwarfs that have a stellar companion can get a second lease on life and a more conclusive and explosive end.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smolder
Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Three months later, with the rubble still smoldering, Mayor-elect Mike Bloomberg called to ask me to become health commissioner.
—Tom Frieden, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2025
Mount Bromo Take in the epic sights of Mount Bromo, a smoldering active volcano two hours from the city of Malang.
—Desiree Norman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
While this smoldering cosmic ember state represents the end for single stars going out with a whimper rather than a bang, white dwarfs that have a stellar companion can get a second lease on life and a more conclusive and explosive end.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smolder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smolder
Verb
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However, sharp spending cuts have angered many, while a recent electoral defeat for his party worried investors ahead of a key legislative vote in October.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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The new program, Train SMART, also risks angering a network of grassroots chapters and gun violence prevention volunteers at Everytown.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While the 49ers maintain that Saleh’s comments were meant to be purely complimentary, Coen and the Jaguars didn’t perceive it as such, which is why Coen came in guns blazing after Sunday’s win.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
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Maple and oak leaves blaze in brilliant yellows, fiery reds, and deep oranges, set against the lush green of the forest floor.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The pandemic initially snarled supply chains as restaurants were shuttered and consumers suddenly had to prepare three meals at home each day.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
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For years, airport satisfaction lagged as crowds grew and construction snarled terminals.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Jayhawks could have let Walker score, but didn’t, and instead burned their second timeout on defense with 32 seconds left.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
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The wildfire has been burning on state land for less than an hour.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In addition to using Brussels sprouts in salads, they can be roasted, steamed or sauteed.—
Bethany Thayer,
Freep.com,
27 Sep. 2025
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The expansive lawn is dotted with games—cornhole, soccer, and ladder toss for the kids—and solo fire pits where families gather under starry skies to toast s’mores or enjoy a steaming mug of hot cider.—
Christine Chitnis,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Spotify also shared a graphic of the same design on Instagram, captioning it simply with a key emoji and flaming heart.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
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There was plenty of experimentation, too, seen via the shimmering tops in punchy shades like Big Bird yellow and flaming vermilion red, and the tinsel skirts that swished in all directions as models walked to a custom soundtrack by the British artist Steve McQueen.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His first win with the Razorbacks was 21-14 at Mississippi State in the second game of the 2020 season to snap a 20-game SEC losing streak for Arkansas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Sep. 2025
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Graham and his team are seen pulling and snapping each exterior wall together with little effort.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Best case is glowing reviews and great buzz buoy the film’s relevance among moviegoers for one week after another.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
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In videos shared to the meteor society and to local TV outlets, the satellite’s breakup appeared dramatic but serene, moving slowly across the sky and trailing glowing fragments for several seconds.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smolder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smolder. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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