variants
or smoulder
smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering
ˈsmōl-d(ə-)riŋ 
1
a
: to burn sluggishly, without flame, and often with much smoke
b
: to be consumed by smoldering
—often used with out
2
: to exist in a state of suppressed activity
hostilities smoldered for years
3
: to show suppressed anger, hate, or jealousy
eyes smoldering with hate
Examples of smolder in a Sentence
The remains of the campfire smoldered.
Her eyes smoldered with anger.
Anger smoldered in my heart.
Recent Examples on the Web
Remus graced the cover of Time magazine with a smoldering gaze.
—
Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
The wood chips should begin to smolder and release a steady stream of smoke.
—Paula Disbrowe, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 May 2026
Either way, the outbreak had been smoldering for some time before the cause of the rising tide of illness was deemed to be caused by Ebola.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 17 May 2026
Winter or summer, logs as big as Popeye’s biceps smolder in the grand fireplace of the dimly lit, deep-blue map room to ensure the theatrical cosiness stays cranked up to 11.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smolder
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Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
The wood chips should begin to smolder and release a steady stream of smoke.
—Paula Disbrowe, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 May 2026
Either way, the outbreak had been smoldering for some time before the cause of the rising tide of illness was deemed to be caused by Ebola.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 17 May 2026
Winter or summer, logs as big as Popeye’s biceps smolder in the grand fireplace of the dimly lit, deep-blue map room to ensure the theatrical cosiness stays cranked up to 11.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for smolder
Cite this Entry
“Smolder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smolder. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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