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
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Recent Examples of smoldering
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
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
Verb
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
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
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 thick, snarling vines that produced bright yellow leaves and orange berries were sought after for holiday wreaths, private landscaping, and the grounds of large arboretums.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
22 Oct. 2025
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The 35-day government shutdown that stretched from December 2018 to January 2019 ended after 10 air traffic controllers stayed home, snarling air traffic.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Necas is off to a blazing start this season.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
22 Oct. 2025
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But perhaps more importantly, Cork Tree helped the band become the therapists pumping through the speakers of a whole generation of skinny jean-wearing teens, igniting the pop-punk and emo music scene into a blazing force for the masses.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 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
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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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Chris Tanouye / Getty Images TORONTO — Anthony Stolarz was still steaming mad.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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Do not waste precious prep time wiping down your baseboards, scrubbing the windows, or steaming your floors.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, the movie's kinetic animation and Ichabod's rubbery physicality playfully contrast with the truly frightening Horseman and his flaming pumpkin.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
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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
Adjective
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The Landmark’s stage welcomes big-name concerts, touring Broadway hits, and a steady stream of live events that keep the marquee glowing year-round.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
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Another scene shows Nishio-San taking Amélie to a day of the dead ritual, with hundreds of glowing lanterns floating down a river to mark the occasion.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Would deja vu strike with another one of Mater Dei’s longtime opponents snapping an extended losing streak against the Orange County powerhouse?—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
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With the play clock winding down, Mahomes caught the Raiders by surprise by snapping the ball and handing it off to running back Kareem Hunt, who plowed through defenders for a gain of 3 yards and a first down.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smoldering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoldering. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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