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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 smoldering
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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
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
Chief Deputy Jon O’Brien said Saturday that deep pockets of smoldering fire remain buried under structural debris and solar panels.
—
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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
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.
-
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.
Verb
-
The purists were always going to take issue with a Prancing Horse that had an electric powertrain instead of snarling internal combustion engine, but its unorthodox design, courtesy of Jony Ivy’s LoveFrom studio, has received just as much criticism.
-
In fact, none of them are shy about their glee, leaving Kayda crying, Trinity snarling, and Melanie calculating.
Verb
-
Forecasters warn of triple-digit heat indices and blazing hot temperatures that could break records and linger through Independence Day.
-
The blazing Greek summer will offer an initial test.
Adjective
-
In the case of the cross-burning incident, there is no comparison to the Jussie Smollett case.
-
Some people drove or walked by, staring, and a video of the cross-burning gained traction online.
Verb
-
When in doubt, stick to food that is cooked and served steaming hot.
-
Enjoy a steaming plate of weekend-only biscuits and gravy.
Verb
-
True insanity seldom results from a huge, flaming blowout when driving.
-
Footage on social media captured victims falling through flaming windows as first responders attempted to reach them.
Adjective
-
Its prebiotics give skin a glowing, youthful-looking complexion, while hyaluronic acid and watermelon extract deliver a burst of hydration to revive dry, dull skin.
-
Barr’s less-than-glowing assessment of Blanche’s qualifications reads like a grudging employee review that recommends the lowest possible raise.
Verb
-
Not only the app’s core target audience could be seen spinning the wheel for prizes, taking a look inside the party bus and snapping photos.
-
Texas left-hander MacKenzie Gore (5-6) allowed three runs and four hits in seven innings, snapping a four-start winless streak.
Cite this Entry
“Smoldering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoldering. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
