Synonyms of smolder

smolder

verb

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

• anger
• snarl
• steam
• burn
• snap
• seethe
• foam
• storm
• sputter
• flare (up)
• rage
• blow up
• flip (out)
• vent
• fume
• bristle
• tee off
• vituperate
• fulminate
• bluster
• rant
• rave
• carry on
• stew
• take on
• rampage
• chafe
• fret

Dissimilar Words

• contain
• suppress
• soothe
• check
• restrain
• allay
• collect
• appease
• curb
• stifle
• compose
• subdue
• swallow
• tone (down)
• repress
• temper
• choke (back)
• strangle
• pacify
• smother
• moderate
• relax
• ease
• rein
• cool
• settle
• calm
• quell
• quiet
• pocket
• hush
• still
• let up

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

• blaze
• burn
• flame
• glow
• flicker
• combust
• ignite
• sputter
• spark
• fire
• sparkle
• kindle
• glisten
• char
• enkindle
• melt
• light (up)
• roast
• scorch
• waver
• catch
• deflagrate
• cook
• gleam
• bake
• flare (up)
• shimmer
• broil
• radiate
• twinkle
• brighten
• beam
• shine
• beat (down)
• swelter
• glitter
• flash
• glare
• gutter
• glimmer
• scintillate
• glint

Dissimilar Words

• extinguish
• dim
• darken

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of smolder

Spain’s answer to smoldering summer heat is the traditional vegetable soup called gazpacho served delightfully chilled. — Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026

The rubble of the United States’ World Cup-qualifying collapse was still smoldering back in the fall of 2017 when the building blocks for the next decade-plus were put into place. — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 30 June 2026

Six days later, powerful Santa Ana winds kicked up smoldering embers that sparked one of Los Angeles’ most devastating infernos. — Char Miller, Time, 30 June 2026

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore said on Monday that a complete knockdown has not yet been declared, as hotspots smolder inside the building. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 29 June 2026