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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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.
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 smoldering
Dr. Tom Frieden, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
In smoldering Scorpio, Mars is sharp, strategic and relentless in its pursuits.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
The smoldering fire at the Twelve Tribes property had been buried by residents a few days before in a way that was approved by firefighters who stopped by to investigate, authorities said.
—Colleen Slevin, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025
That lineage continues with the release of the Nuit Rouge collection, a trio of smoldering extraits that channel Trudon’s DNA into rich and intoxicating compositions formulated to linger close to the skin.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2025
The coincidence suggested that a smoldering root or ember, not fully extinguished, might have been resuscitated by the dry wind.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Three months later, with the rubble still smoldering, Mayor-elect Mike Bloomberg called to ask me to become health commissioner.
—Tom Frieden, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2025
Mount Bromo Take in the epic sights of Mount Bromo, a smoldering active volcano two hours from the city of Malang.
—Desiree Norman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
While this smoldering cosmic ember state represents the end for single stars going out with a whimper rather than a bang, white dwarfs that have a stellar companion can get a second lease on life and a more conclusive and explosive end.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Three months later, with the rubble of the World Trade Center still smoldering, Mayor-elect Mike Bloomberg called.
—Dr. Tom Frieden, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
In smoldering Scorpio, Mars is sharp, strategic and relentless in its pursuits.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
The smoldering fire at the Twelve Tribes property had been buried by residents a few days before in a way that was approved by firefighters who stopped by to investigate, authorities said.
—Colleen Slevin, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025
That lineage continues with the release of the Nuit Rouge collection, a trio of smoldering extraits that channel Trudon’s DNA into rich and intoxicating compositions formulated to linger close to the skin.
—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2025
The coincidence suggested that a smoldering root or ember, not fully extinguished, might have been resuscitated by the dry wind.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Three months later, with the rubble still smoldering, Mayor-elect Mike Bloomberg called to ask me to become health commissioner.
—Tom Frieden, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2025
Mount Bromo Take in the epic sights of Mount Bromo, a smoldering active volcano two hours from the city of Malang.
—Desiree Norman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025
While this smoldering cosmic ember state represents the end for single stars going out with a whimper rather than a bang, white dwarfs that have a stellar companion can get a second lease on life and a more conclusive and explosive end.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smoldering
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
The howling, snarling wolves are at bay.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Tit-for-tat levies reached triple digits on both sides at one point this year, snarling supply chains.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Black holes, billions of times more massive than the Sun, power blazing engines called active galactic nuclei.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
-
While the 49ers maintain that Saleh’s comments were meant to be purely complimentary, Coen and the Jaguars didn’t perceive it as such, which is why Coen came in guns blazing after Sunday’s win.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Plus, the material is wrinkle-free, which will save you from steaming it in the mornings.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The expansive lawn is dotted with games—cornhole, soccer, and ladder toss for the kids—and solo fire pits where families gather under starry skies to toast s’mores or enjoy a steaming mug of hot cider.—
Christine Chitnis,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Spotify also shared a graphic of the same design on Instagram, captioning it simply with a key emoji and flaming heart.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
-
There was plenty of experimentation, too, seen via the shimmering tops in punchy shades like Big Bird yellow and flaming vermilion red, and the tinsel skirts that swished in all directions as models walked to a custom soundtrack by the British artist Steve McQueen.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The patty cooked to a perfect medium, slightly larger than his ideal five ounces, and sans the tomatoes, gets a fairly glowing review (which can’t be said of every spot).—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
-
To see the longest glowing debris trains, set your gaze 40 degrees above the radiant after allowing your eyes to adjust to the dark for 30 minutes.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
McGraw then joined in the happy moment, congratulating the couple with hugs and snapping a selfie, which Trent later shared on TikTok.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Clark cycles through the five stages of grief throughout her performance, snapping at a nurse over the treatment of her son one moment, and then breaking everyone’s hearts by wistfully telling stories of James’ daredevil antics the next.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smoldering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoldering. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share