variants
or smouldered
1
as in burnt
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 blazed
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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Recent Examples of smoldered
Even as the rubble smoldered, a spark of hope was burning brighter.
—
MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Some buildings still smoldered from the fires of the day before, and soldiers carrying rifles enforced a nationwide curfew.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Throughout the 2000s, the actor smoldered on series like Dawson's Creek (2001–2002), and One Tree Hill (2003–2012), not to mention the films A Cinderella Story (2004) and House of Wax (2005).
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The cause and aftermath of the explosions remain under investigation by state and federal agencies, but questions of improper permitting and licensing, and the appearance of local conflicts of interest, began surfacing as the remnants of the property still smoldered.
—Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2025
MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Some buildings still smoldered from the fires of the day before, and soldiers carrying rifles enforced a nationwide curfew.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Throughout the 2000s, the actor smoldered on series like Dawson's Creek (2001–2002), and One Tree Hill (2003–2012), not to mention the films A Cinderella Story (2004) and House of Wax (2005).
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The cause and aftermath of the explosions remain under investigation by state and federal agencies, but questions of improper permitting and licensing, and the appearance of local conflicts of interest, began surfacing as the remnants of the property still smoldered.
—Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoldered
Verb
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The pandemic initially snarled supply chains as restaurants were shuttered and consumers suddenly had to prepare three meals at home each day.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
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For years, airport satisfaction lagged as crowds grew and construction snarled terminals.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As with Nashville Underground, The Spot by Dre and Snoop doesn’t have its owners’ names blazed across the entrance.—
Leena Tailor,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
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But their stars blazed different paths for them both, converging again only by a twist of fate.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Visits by previous prime ministers have angered neighboring countries and proven to be a flashpoint for Japan and China.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
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Comments the host made after the murder of right wing activist and influencer Charlie Kirk angered MAGA supporters and saw the nation’s largest station group, Nexstar – which has its own mega merger up for review at the FCC – preempt the late night staple.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the late 1800s, three major fires happened on the block, and the last one burned all the way through what’s now Buzzard Roost.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
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As the brownie baked, the edges of the parchment burned and the peanut butter toasted.—
Aisha Muharrar,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Diners enjoyed autumn chicory salad and seared filet mignon in the soft glow of the lights illuminating the temple’s Aeolian sandstone walls and snapped wrist shots against the backdrop of the reflecting pool, meant to evoke the West Bank of the Nile.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
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What isn’t as easy to see, though, is that for all the hair-on-fire play once the ball is snapped, Hufanga is exactly the opposite between plays.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The mountains glowed with golden light, evoking a sense of enchantment and possibility.—
Lisa Greissinger,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
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By now her name has glowed several times on the marquee of Springfield’s historic Gillioz Theatre.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Unlike most apple pie recipes, this one calls for the apples to be steamed in a steamer basket.—
Phoebe Evans,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
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Sean Longstaff steamed in to give Adams a shove.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Candles flickered against the sunset at Marine Park on Friday as local activists gathered for a vigil for the three victims of Wednesday’s shooting at a Dallas ICE facility.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Sep. 2025
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Even Seldon flickered between digital and physical selves, his split consciousness pushing conflicting agendas that unsettled the followers who depended on him.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smoldered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoldered. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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