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 fire, known as the Lachman Fire, was not fully extinguished and had continued to smolder undetected before reigniting a week later and becoming the deadly Palisades Fire.
—
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 11 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
That blaze continued to smolder underground and, prosecutors allege, resurfaced on January 7 and exploded into the Palisades Fire.
—Jack Hannah, CNN Money, 7 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
See All Example Sentences for smolder
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 11 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
That blaze continued to smolder underground and, prosecutors allege, resurfaced on January 7 and exploded into the Palisades Fire.
—Jack Hannah, CNN Money, 7 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
See All Example Sentences for smolder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smolder
Verb
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But Schnur said the governor likely also has concerns about angering one of his biggest backers.—
Katie King,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
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Meanwhile, Daemon, angered that his wife/niece is mad at him for orchestrating the brutal murder of a child, goes to the cursed castle of Harrenhal to claim it for their side — or perhaps to claim it for himself.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Verb
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An interstellar comet that blazed past the sun and swung by Earth last year could be nearly three times older than our solar system and is unlike anything ever before seen in our cosmic backyard, astronomers said Monday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement has evacuated immigrants housed at the Krome Detention Center as brush fires blaze in the southwestern part of Miami-Dade County, burning 20,000-plus acres, deteriorating air quality, and closing down roads.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
Verb
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Traffic was snarled on Interstate 70 and other key arteries because of some combination of vague signage on parking passes or apps, accidents earlier in the afternoon, the lack of dedicated lanes for the bus system — why oh why couldn’t that be achieved in the master plan?—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
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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
Verb
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Most of the smoke is coming from the Iron Fire in Utah, which has burned more than 21,000 acres.—
Joe Ruch,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
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The world has known that adding heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests will warm the globe, said Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center on Cape Cod, who was not involved in the research.—
Alexa St. John,
Fortune,
22 June 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
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When in doubt, stick to food that is cooked and served steaming hot.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Verb
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When the challenge called for the teams to light a flaming arrow and set a nearby target aflame with a direct hit, Pharaoh lit the fire with ease.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
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Tableside preparations spread across the land, from prime-rib carts to flaming desserts.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Fans wearing jerseys of all teams strolled through to take in the displays and snap selfies.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
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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
Verb
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In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, wildlife biologist Forrest Galante embarks on a nationwide quest to find the nation’s most bizarre and dangerous alien sharks – from glowing swell sharks to elusive sawfish – proving the ultimate shark adventure is right here at home.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
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The speakeasy-style room glows with a gold-leaf ceiling, ochre velvet sofas, and an extravagant cocktail menu.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smolder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smolder. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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