smolder

verb

variants or smoulder
Definition of smoldernext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smolder Spain’s answer to smoldering summer heat is the traditional vegetable soup called gazpacho served delightfully chilled. — Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026 The rubble of the United States’ World Cup-qualifying collapse was still smoldering back in the fall of 2017 when the building blocks for the next decade-plus were put into place. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 30 June 2026 Six days later, powerful Santa Ana winds kicked up smoldering embers that sparked one of Los Angeles’ most devastating infernos. — Char Miller, Time, 30 June 2026 Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore said on Monday that a complete knockdown has not yet been declared, as hotspots smolder inside the building. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for smolder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smolder
  1. anger
  2. blaze
  3. snarl
  4. burn
  5. steam
  6. flame
  7. snap
  8. glow
Verb
  • However, the cyclops was a son of Poseidon, and this attack angered the sea god.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • News reporting about the new plane’s security deficiencies angered the president and triggered a sprawling leak investigation.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • Footage shared by the agency showed the massive fire blazing as plumes shot out of the front door of the brewery.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026
  • Ship drops through the atmosphere belly-first, allowing the black, hexagonal heat shield tiles that cover half the vehicle to absorb the blazing temperatures of reentry.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of blaze
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Argentina is a snarling team full of passion-merchants.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Each time, as the dog snarled and jumped backward, the bear would rear again with his back against the tree trunk, swinging his mighty paws in front of him as though daring Drive to come within reach.
    — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026
Definition of snarl
Verb
  • Do not burn debris or other items during an air quality alert.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
  • Research shows warming temperatures from burning coal, oil and gas are making fires more frequent and intense.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • In fact, one of the first things most folks will want to do, possibly before even grabbing a drink or snack, is to rip off those steaming boots and slide on something more comfortable.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 July 2026
  • Lucien Laviscount enters the scene and steams it up as Hot Guy who fandangoes with Laila and then upends the apple cart later on.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of steam
Verb
  • The clip ultimately evolved into a lo-fi vision of the Rapture, complete with giant flaming hands terrorizing the band.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 30 June 2026
  • True insanity seldom results from a huge, flaming blowout when driving.
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Definition of flame
Verb
  • Jensen’s clutch single was the exclamation point as KC improved to 40-59 and snapped a five-game losing streak.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
  • Garrett Mitchell’s two-out single up the middle in the 10th inning scored automatic runner Jackson Chourio from second, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Miami Marlins 2-1 on Friday night to snap a three-game skid.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
Definition of snap
Verb
  • On warm Carolina nights in Steele Creek, string lights glow overhead and oldies drift through the speakers.
    — Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026
  • The spa, wrapped in glowing green marble, offers a peaceful escape where therapists personalize treatments using blends of Biologique Recherche products.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Definition of glow

Browse Nearby Words

smoky
smolder
smoldered
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Cite this Entry

“Smolder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smolder. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on smolder

Nglish: Translation of smolder for Spanish Speakers

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