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
This anger crackles around him like a smoldering fire, igniting and engulfing everyone from the workers on his farm, his meek sister Férula (Fernanda Castillo), to Clara and, eventually, to their daughter, Blanca (Sara Becker and later Fernanda Urrejola), Alba’s idealistic mother.
—
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
The shooting has reignited a smoldering public debate about the Pretrial Fairness Act, often referred to as the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail in Illinois and instead left it to judges to determine who would be held pending trial and who would be released.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In Debbie Allen’s production, the magnetic Joshua Boone is the smoldering coal that will eventually bring that heat.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
One told a boss about red hot coals and smoldering ash.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smolder
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Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
The shooting has reignited a smoldering public debate about the Pretrial Fairness Act, often referred to as the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail in Illinois and instead left it to judges to determine who would be held pending trial and who would be released.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
In Debbie Allen’s production, the magnetic Joshua Boone is the smoldering coal that will eventually bring that heat.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
One told a boss about red hot coals and smoldering ash.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 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 1 May. 2026.
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