variants
or smouldering
as in flickering
being on fire with no visible flames but often with much smoke
All that was left of the campfire were smoldering embers.
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variants
or smouldering
1
as in snarling
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 blazing
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 smoldering
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Julie Sharp, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Specifically, the lawsuit said that the draining of a local reservoir resulted in fire hydrants running dry and that a lack of land inspection after the Lachman Fires left embers smoldering.
—Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Prosecutors allege Rinderknecht maliciously started the Lachman fire, in the Pacific Palisades on New Year’s Day, which continued smoldering underground for six days before fierce winds brought it back to the surface, starting what became the Palisades fire.
—Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 8 June 2026
Defense attorneys had planned to include testimony from a firefighter that the earlier fire was visibly smoldering when first responders left the scene.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
The attack on Sumner poured gasoline on a smoldering fire.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
There’s no such thing as casual under this Water sign’s smoldering gaze, and with Luna immediately clashing with both Mars in Taurus and Pluto retrograde in Aquarius, tensions could escalate quickly if frustrations, insecurities or power struggles have been simmering beneath the surface.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
This transfer station caught fire a few years ago, smoldering for nearly two weeks and releasing toxic fumes into the air.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 27 May 2026
The nose presents an assertive mix of bonfire smoke, iodine, and smoldering oak, alongside vanilla, toffee, and ripe tropical fruit.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Adjective
Casting two of the most smoldering contemporary actors on the planet clearly stacks the deck, and carries on the long tradition of pairing a dashing figure of brooding handsomeness (Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes) with a breathless screen beauty (Merle Oberon, Juliette Binoche).
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Aerial footage taken shortly after the crash showed a large smoldering burn mark on the land.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Specifically, the lawsuit said that the draining of a local reservoir resulted in fire hydrants running dry and that a lack of land inspection after the Lachman Fires left embers smoldering.
—Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Prosecutors allege Rinderknecht maliciously started the Lachman fire, in the Pacific Palisades on New Year’s Day, which continued smoldering underground for six days before fierce winds brought it back to the surface, starting what became the Palisades fire.
—Nathaniel Percy, Daily News, 8 June 2026
Defense attorneys had planned to include testimony from a firefighter that the earlier fire was visibly smoldering when first responders left the scene.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
The attack on Sumner poured gasoline on a smoldering fire.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
There’s no such thing as casual under this Water sign’s smoldering gaze, and with Luna immediately clashing with both Mars in Taurus and Pluto retrograde in Aquarius, tensions could escalate quickly if frustrations, insecurities or power struggles have been simmering beneath the surface.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
This transfer station caught fire a few years ago, smoldering for nearly two weeks and releasing toxic fumes into the air.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 27 May 2026
The nose presents an assertive mix of bonfire smoke, iodine, and smoldering oak, alongside vanilla, toffee, and ripe tropical fruit.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoldering
Adjective
-
This year, the rumors swirl, a constant, low hum: Outer Heaven and Cuatro Gato, two more flickering lights, are expected to fade.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
But there’s more flickering contrast in Narayan van Maele’s lensing, which alternates dun realism with occasionally hyperreal lighting and composition, particularly when the pagan promise of fire is in the frame.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2022
Verb
-
Calm, easy to pilot, and both predictable and correctable on track, the F80 transforms into a snarling monster on the road.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
-
Iran closed it, snarling global energy-supply chains, to gain exactly the leverage now being employed at the negotiating table.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Afterward, swirl down to explore Merlin’s Cave below and paddle in rock pools on Tintagel Haven or gawp at a blazing sunset from the soft sands.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Fox and Telemundo are off to a blazing start in the TV ratings for the quadrennial soccer tournament, delivering big increases over the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Some people drove or walked by, staring, and a video of the cross-burning gained traction online.—
Hallie Golden,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
An important insider just shed light on one of the most burning questions in reality TV.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Primitive manmade paths have been carved among the hills, which are dotted with steaming vents, small rivers, and glacial ice.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
-
When in doubt, stick to food that is cooked and served steaming hot.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Even with a decently quick fire, shooting the flaming arrow with the makeshift bow with any aim was tough for former NFL player Wes.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
Tableside preparations spread across the land, from prime-rib carts to flaming desserts.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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But by then Arthur has published a glowing account of his time in Widow’s Bay and tourists start flocking to the island for the summer season.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
21 June 2026
-
Broncos general manager George Paton is a close friend of Fisch, and the Washington head coach gave a glowing evaluation.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
21 June 2026
Verb
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With the score tied 5-all, Lowe squared up a slider from Elvis Alvarado (2-1) and drove it over the right-field wall for his 18th homer, snapping a 1-for-18 slump.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
-
Interested in snapping your own photos of the night sky?—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smoldering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoldering. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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