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
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
What began on a smoldering day in July with construction cranes and temporary stands can end in one place, and only one place, for this season to truly be a success.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Which, thankfully for fans of all things smoldering, means imminently likely to fire up again.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Pity those who followed her, having to pick their way through the smouldering embers of what theoretically had been glamorous entryway.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
His main job was smoldering as the leading lady pined for him.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
But where chimps might merely poke over the ashes, our lineage at some point took the next step in promoting and even domesticating the flames — perhaps picking a smoldering stick from the edges of one grassland, and lighting the grassland in the next valley over.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
Tumbling waterfalls, dense jungles, winding rivers, smoldering volcanoes, and secluded beaches make Costa Rica an idyllic destination for travelers looking to immerse themselves in nature.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 26 Aug. 2025
Firefighters survey the smoldering area of a forest fire that threatened a nearby apartment complex on July 30, 2025 in Mem Martins, Portugal.
—Sam Meredith,sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
The remainder of the perimeter exhibited primarily backing and smoldering fire behavior.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
What began on a smoldering day in July with construction cranes and temporary stands can end in one place, and only one place, for this season to truly be a success.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Which, thankfully for fans of all things smoldering, means imminently likely to fire up again.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Pity those who followed her, having to pick their way through the smouldering embers of what theoretically had been glamorous entryway.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
His main job was smoldering as the leading lady pined for him.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
But where chimps might merely poke over the ashes, our lineage at some point took the next step in promoting and even domesticating the flames — perhaps picking a smoldering stick from the edges of one grassland, and lighting the grassland in the next valley over.
—Peter Brannen, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2025
Tumbling waterfalls, dense jungles, winding rivers, smoldering volcanoes, and secluded beaches make Costa Rica an idyllic destination for travelers looking to immerse themselves in nature.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 26 Aug. 2025
Firefighters survey the smoldering area of a forest fire that threatened a nearby apartment complex on July 30, 2025 in Mem Martins, Portugal.
—Sam Meredith,sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 19 Aug. 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
-
Tit-for-tat levies reached triple digits on both sides at one point this year, snarling supply chains.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Joe shouts as the snarling lobos close in.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But Trump’s legal action was only the most obvious manifestation of the all-guns-blazing approach the president had taken, with others in his orbit following his lead.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
9 Sep. 2025
-
All three of the Tigers’ offensive corners came in the frame, with two leading to a couple blazing shots from Poire.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
9 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
-
Needless to say, fans are steaming.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
At the other end, the Premier League is steaming beyond its peers; a super league in all but name.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The flaming orange garnish adds a smoky aroma that helps the rye peek through, creating contrast.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Huse torched ham in his backyard for Cuban sandwiches and celebrated birthdays with epic cakes and flaming desserts.—
Gabrielle Calise,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Al Campanis, then a Brooklyn scout, saw him as an 18-year-old and filed a glowing scouting report.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The bookshelf opens to reveal a glowing path.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lines of hundreds of guests snaked around the inside of the department store (which takes up an entire city block in Manhattan), with onlookers snapping photos quizzically.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Back at home, Hauser’s father took a picture off the TV screen with his son snapping away on the sideline.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smoldering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoldering. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share