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
Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Egypt’s economic woes Egypt is weathering soaring inflation, as well as instability from the still-smoldering war in neighboring Gaza.
—Sam McNeil, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The same year that Vertigo was released, Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart took their smoldering chemistry to Bell, Book and Candle.
—Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
The idea of staging the Ultimate Game in The Big Smoke has been smoldering for nearly two decades, and a London Super Bowl now seems somewhat inevitable.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
In this smoldering Water sign, the messenger planet doesn’t do small talk.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
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
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
Verb
Ángel Jiménez del Aguila, who died in 2010, need only follow the trail of flower petals, the scent of smoldering copal and the rhythm of danzón music to find his old front door, where his wife and children wait for him.
—Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Egypt’s economic woes Egypt is weathering soaring inflation, as well as instability from the still-smoldering war in neighboring Gaza.
—Sam McNeil, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The same year that Vertigo was released, Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart took their smoldering chemistry to Bell, Book and Candle.
—Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
The idea of staging the Ultimate Game in The Big Smoke has been smoldering for nearly two decades, and a London Super Bowl now seems somewhat inevitable.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
In this smoldering Water sign, the messenger planet doesn’t do small talk.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
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
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
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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On Monday, a foot of snow piled up in the Great Lakes, snarling travel and forcing business closures.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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Meanwhile, Carpenter plays Emily in a persuasive, snarling manner that's both chilling and heartbreaking — and the farmhouse in the middle of nowhere serves as the perfect crime scene.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Due primarily to the timing of major studio film release dates, a weak first quarter was followed by a blazing hot second quarter, which then was followed by a softening third quarter.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
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Dudinha opened the scoring for San Diego, dribbling through the Current defense before blazing a shot through the legs of her Brazilian compatriot, Lorena.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
2 Nov. 2025
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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Additionally, steaming away wrinkles can give you that high-end feel typically found in a spa or hotel atmosphere.—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
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At Curry in a Hurry, Sajjad Chowdhury ladles steaming goat curry into a bowl for a customer while reflecting on the news the very building where investigators say the high-stakes poker games took place is just a block away.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That's especially true in the Southeast, where there’s no shortage of uniquely thrilling opening acts from Chief Osceola and his flaming spear at Florida State to the eagle’s pre-game lap around Jordan Hare Stadium at Auburn.—
Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
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This 32-foot-tall sculpture with flaming red eyes has alarmed travelers for decades, but the story of its creation is even more chilling.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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According to Moore, stainless steel requires regular cleaning to keep a glowing appearance.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
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Tours usually stop at Ilha do Farol, Prainhas do Pontal, Fenda de Nossa Senhora, and the Gruta Azul, a glowing sea cave reachable only by boat.—
Aaron Randolph,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Plus, there’s no need to call a handyman to set up your new furniture, as assembly is as simple as snapping the metal base onto the seat.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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Of those who have announced, former Congresswoman Katie Porter had an early lead in polling, although under 20% support, but she was heavily damaged when videos surfaced of her harsh reaction to a reporter’s question and snapping at one of her staffers.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smoldering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoldering. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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