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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smolder
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
The Vampire Lestat Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson smoldered through the first two seasons of AMC's supernatural period drama Interview With the Vampire.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
The attack on Sumner poured gasoline on a smoldering fire.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for smolder
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
The Vampire Lestat Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson smoldered through the first two seasons of AMC's supernatural period drama Interview With the Vampire.
—Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
The attack on Sumner poured gasoline on a smoldering fire.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for smolder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smolder
Verb
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The four leaders have also angered Trump by criticizing how he’s gone about executing the war and his lack of consultation with allies before jumping into a conflict that’s hurt the global economy as oil prices have surged.—
Aamer Madhani,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
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The four leaders have also angered Trump by criticizing how he's gone about executing the war and his lack of consultation with allies before jumping into a conflict that's hurt the global economy as oil prices have surged.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Pulisic came out blazing, but got kicked in the calf and sat out the second half.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
13 June 2026
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Her Alice becomes a blazing embodiment of the emotional maelstrom inside every woman who is expected to somehow put on a supportive, understanding face no matter how outrageous or impossible the situation.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The dogs snarled and snapped as Smith begged for help during the eight-minute call.—
Natasha Holt,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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Their penchant for straight, snarled hair continued well into the late 2010s, though the coloring didn’t stay the same.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Aerial footage showed large flames burning near a cul-de-sac of homes as helicopters made water drops and hand crews on the ground worked to create a containment line.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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And just as the image of black people beaten for trying to cross a bridge resonated beyond our community, the image of a Palestinian hooked up to an IV, writhing in agony and burning alive, resonates far beyond theirs.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Mike Trout, who was the automatic runner at second, came steaming around toward the plate.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
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Kuih means little sweet snacks that can be steamed, fried or baked and are all bite-sized.—
Julie Lin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The conflict that ensues is startling in the intensity of its violence, as bodies brawl and break in the mud, flaming torches are taken to the face, and red-hot blades are seared into flesh.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
11 June 2026
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The Chicago Fire Department confirmed the flaming object was a cross and said officials put out the fire.—
Hallie Golden,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Yoon and his wife stand by the front door, snapping the snow off their coats before removing their shoes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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Trout, who had just snapped an 0-for-22 slump on Tuesday night, had not hit a homer since May 30.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The glowing green letters emerge ominously against a dark backdrop.—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
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Pedestrians swerve between packs of police, horns honk at teenagers blocking the street, neon restaurant signs glow.—
Taylor Swinton,
Washington Post,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smolder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smolder. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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