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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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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smoldering
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Using forklifts, rescue workers removed smoldering debris and sifted through ruins for survivors.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
In the footage, a large field of aircraft debris can be seen still smoldering.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
But there is some comparable firepower smoldering in the undercards, including Sunday homecomings for Dance Gavin Dance and the first Oleander gig in eight years.
—Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Here’s a list of the most memorable jumps from trash TV to the smoldering dumpster of 21st century politics.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
When just a few smoldering spots remained, the group gathered to debrief and share H-E-B sandwich trays.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Then, trace your finger to its peak, which, to me, was his starring role as smoldering special forces operative Scott McCoy in the 1986 action movie The Delta Force, co-starring a frail-looking but grizzled and unsmiling Lee Marvin in his last movie.
—John Devore, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
In a post on X, Afghan deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat announced the attack and death toll after social media footage showed the smoldering ruin of the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 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
And Jacob Elordi, the Thinking Man’s Heartthrob, avoided becoming a generic Netflix idol by smoldering his way to an Oscar nomination, in between his seasons playing the angsty jock Nate.
—New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Using forklifts, rescue workers removed smoldering debris and sifted through ruins for survivors.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
In the footage, a large field of aircraft debris can be seen still smoldering.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
But there is some comparable firepower smoldering in the undercards, including Sunday homecomings for Dance Gavin Dance and the first Oleander gig in eight years.
—Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Here’s a list of the most memorable jumps from trash TV to the smoldering dumpster of 21st century politics.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
When just a few smoldering spots remained, the group gathered to debrief and share H-E-B sandwich trays.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
Then, trace your finger to its peak, which, to me, was his starring role as smoldering special forces operative Scott McCoy in the 1986 action movie The Delta Force, co-starring a frail-looking but grizzled and unsmiling Lee Marvin in his last movie.
—John Devore, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
In a post on X, Afghan deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat announced the attack and death toll after social media footage showed the smoldering ruin of the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 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
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The Iran war is also snarling shipments of other commodities, like fertilizer, aluminum, and helium.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Law enforcement took a 37-year-old Kuna man into custody Wednesday evening after a 2-mile police chase came to an end near Interstate 84, snarling traffic and forcing road closures, Meridian police said.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Not blessed with a blazing fastball, Panos relies on placement and smarts to get batters out.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The first team period of the day saw the offense come out blazing.—
Gabriel Duarte,
Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Ironing or steaming clothes after a long travel day.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Martone’s gorgeous touch pass to Dvorak sent him steaming ahead with Travis Konecny, with only Mason Lohrei defending.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At Zara Forest, a Turkish restaurant in Staten Island, special occasions are marked by massive flaming meat plates presented with a flourish in the dark by the whole staff singing.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Underneath the photo of a chef was a smaller, menacing image of a flaming grill.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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At this point, my relationship with glowing rectangles is stronger than most of my Hinge dates.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
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The glowing hose creates a visible path that helps rescuers navigate thick smoke and find their way back to safety.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fitzgerald was also the focal point for head coach Tom Landry’s reintroduction to the shotgun offense, having no issue snapping the ball to Roger Staubach from a further distance.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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Officials say the tornado caused damage to homes along Ruth and Olive avenues, also snapping trees and damaging businesses.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smoldering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoldering. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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