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

On Tuesday, however, firefighters confronted a flare-up in denser fuel pockets where flames had continued to smolder after the rain. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Meraz said a smoldering projectile from one of the many booms and bangs that kept his sons awake must have landed in one of the trash bins, causing the fire to ignite. — Noah Daly july 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 July 2026

If the plank begins to smolder aggressively, lightly mist the edges with water. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

The last was paired with lamb that had been roasted in a cast-iron pot with smoldering herbs and hay. — Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026