variants
or smouldering
as in flickering
being on fire with no visible flames but often with much smoke
All that was left of the campfire were smoldering embers.
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variants
or smouldering
1
as in snarling
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 blazing
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 smoldering
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
This anger crackles around him like a smoldering fire, igniting and engulfing everyone from the workers on his farm, his meek sister Férula (Fernanda Castillo), to Clara and, eventually, to their daughter, Blanca (Sara Becker and later Fernanda Urrejola), Alba’s idealistic mother.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
The shooting has reignited a smoldering public debate about the Pretrial Fairness Act, often referred to as the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail in Illinois and instead left it to judges to determine who would be held pending trial and who would be released.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In Debbie Allen’s production, the magnetic Joshua Boone is the smoldering coal that will eventually bring that heat.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
One told a boss about red hot coals and smoldering ash.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
She’d been diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma, a precursor to cancer, and received infusions to keep it from progressing to active multiple myeloma for years.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
In the fall, the temperature cools and the trees turn, providing a smoldering backdrop for outdoor concerts and festivals.
—Ellie Nan Storck, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
And Jacob Elordi, the Thinking Man’s Heartthrob, avoided becoming a generic Netflix idol by smoldering his way to an Oscar nomination, in between his seasons playing the angsty jock Nate.
—New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Casting two of the most smoldering contemporary actors on the planet clearly stacks the deck, and carries on the long tradition of pairing a dashing figure of brooding handsomeness (Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes) with a breathless screen beauty (Merle Oberon, Juliette Binoche).
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Deven Kolluri plays Pontius Pilate as a smooth, smoldering fashion plate.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
This anger crackles around him like a smoldering fire, igniting and engulfing everyone from the workers on his farm, his meek sister Férula (Fernanda Castillo), to Clara and, eventually, to their daughter, Blanca (Sara Becker and later Fernanda Urrejola), Alba’s idealistic mother.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
The shooting has reignited a smoldering public debate about the Pretrial Fairness Act, often referred to as the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail in Illinois and instead left it to judges to determine who would be held pending trial and who would be released.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In Debbie Allen’s production, the magnetic Joshua Boone is the smoldering coal that will eventually bring that heat.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
One told a boss about red hot coals and smoldering ash.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
She’d been diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma, a precursor to cancer, and received infusions to keep it from progressing to active multiple myeloma for years.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
In the fall, the temperature cools and the trees turn, providing a smoldering backdrop for outdoor concerts and festivals.
—Ellie Nan Storck, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
And Jacob Elordi, the Thinking Man’s Heartthrob, avoided becoming a generic Netflix idol by smoldering his way to an Oscar nomination, in between his seasons playing the angsty jock Nate.
—New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoldering
Adjective
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This year, the rumors swirl, a constant, low hum: Outer Heaven and Cuatro Gato, two more flickering lights, are expected to fade.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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But there’s more flickering contrast in Narayan van Maele’s lensing, which alternates dun realism with occasionally hyperreal lighting and composition, particularly when the pagan promise of fire is in the frame.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2022
Verb
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The musical — a rock-and-raunch, goth-and-gay parody of cheesy, mid-century horror/sci-fi flicks — was created by Richard O’Brien (book, music, lyrics and who performed as the snarling butler Riff Raff).—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
-
From those ashes, Detroit has somehow pivoted, almost overnight, into this season’s snarling, physical bunch that was one of the NBA’s best defensive teams.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The blazing wide receiver took a bit of a step back in his one year with the Auburn Tigers, but in his two years prior with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Singleton put up 1,500 yards and nine touchdowns receiving while averaging over 14 yards per catch.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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Hinsdale Central senior forward Piper Bingham isn’t the first talented athlete from her family, but that hasn’t stopped her from blazing a path of her own.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Canvas When steaming canvas, Stern recommends a strong steam setting.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
4 May 2026
-
Ideal for reheating leftovers and frozen food, steaming food in the microwave, and at-a-glance food storage for easy grab and go.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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This campy, reality-shifting comedy series questions what would happen if a flaming misogynist woke up in a world that was completely matriarchal and subjugated men based on their gender.—
Madeleine Janz,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
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The juvenile managed to drive the flaming car back onto the freeway, driving again the wrong direction before the car gave out near the Auburn Boulevard on-ramp.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Happy, glowing, ready-for-life me.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
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The piece creates a gently glowing, romantic atmosphere that segues perfectly with an evening informed by the storied garden design of Northern Italy.—
Anna Grace Lee,
Vogue,
4 May 2026
Verb
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If this were an American show, the gears would already be grinding, camera angles snapping into place, and the story would be halfway to becoming gospel before anyone had time to blink.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
7 May 2026
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That swing propelled the Rockies to a 6-2 win over the Mets on Thursday at Coors Field, avoiding a sweep and snapping a six-game losing streak.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smoldering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoldering. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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