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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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.
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 smolder
Regional anger grows over strikes The war toll on civilian targets grew as Bahrain accused Iran of striking a desalination plant vital to drinking water supplies, and oil depots in Tehran smoldered following overnight Israeli strikes.
—
Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Oil depots in Tehran smoldered following overnight strikes by Israel.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
This passive-aggressive feud continues to feature smoldering embers.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
Hundreds of firefighters worked to extinguish a massive fire that broke out at a warehouse near Miami Gardens in northwest Miami-Dade on Thursday, but officials fear that the blaze could smolder for days despite their valiant efforts to put it out.
—Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smolder
Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
Oil depots in Tehran smoldered following overnight strikes by Israel.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
This passive-aggressive feud continues to feature smoldering embers.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
Hundreds of firefighters worked to extinguish a massive fire that broke out at a warehouse near Miami Gardens in northwest Miami-Dade on Thursday, but officials fear that the blaze could smolder for days despite their valiant efforts to put it out.
—Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smolder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smolder
Verb
-
One of Best’s nieces, Tatiana Barrett, told The Associated Press that revelations from the report have angered and saddened family and friends.—
Dave Collins,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2026
-
One of Best's nieces, Tatiana Barrett, told The Associated Press that revelations from the report have angered and saddened family and friends.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
During last year’s blazing hot summer, residents lost air conditioning and during the winter numerous apartments were without heat.—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
On Monday, March 16, officials responded to three hikers who were in the blazing sun at Camelback Mountain, a popular 2,706-foot summit 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Beyond the red tape that snarls any new apartment, condominiums confront an additional hurdle.—
M. Nolan Gray,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Shipping lanes and timelines have been snarled for nearly two weeks after the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran, leading to delays around the Strait of Hormuz and surging oil prices.—
Rachel Lerman,
Washington Post,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
She’s grown wise during her absence, sharing in this smoldering, ‘90s-redolent track that some bridges are worth burning, despite the adage.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The home was converted into apartments in 1951 but retained some of the original grandeur that probably wooed the Morgan clan, too (high ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace, in particular).—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Is steaming better than boiling eggs for deviled eggs?—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Drain and rinse with cold water until cool to the touch and no longer steaming.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And while most of the spacecraft will likely disintegrate in a flaming blaze during reentry, a few components could survive, according to NASA.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Find a bit of room for the profiteroles or Grand Marnier flaming crème brûlée.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Golden State was coming off a scrappy victory over hapless Washington, snapping a five-game losing streak.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The Grizzlies snapped an eight-game skid with a 125-118 win over Denver on Wednesday night as the Nuggets (42-28) couldn’t manage a game rescheduled from two months earlier.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The renovation project, which officials say will refresh Civic Center for another 100 years, includes glowing up the Greek Theater with a better stage and seating.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The warm tones in the braids absolutely glowed, especially when paired with a striking pop of more dramatic color from the super-blonde, nearly platinum color in the mid-lengths, which blended with chocolate and espresso brunette tones for a cool color contrast.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smolder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smolder. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
