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
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
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
She’d been diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma, a precursor to cancer, and received infusions to keep it from progressing to active multiple myeloma for years.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
In the fall, the temperature cools and the trees turn, providing a smoldering backdrop for outdoor concerts and festivals.
—Ellie Nan Storck, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
And Jacob Elordi, the Thinking Man’s Heartthrob, avoided becoming a generic Netflix idol by smoldering his way to an Oscar nomination, in between his seasons playing the angsty jock Nate.
—New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Using forklifts, rescue workers removed smoldering debris and sifted through ruins for survivors.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
In the footage, a large field of aircraft debris can be seen still smoldering.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
But there is some comparable firepower smoldering in the undercards, including Sunday homecomings for Dance Gavin Dance and the first Oleander gig in eight years.
—Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Casting two of the most smoldering contemporary actors on the planet clearly stacks the deck, and carries on the long tradition of pairing a dashing figure of brooding handsomeness (Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes) with a breathless screen beauty (Merle Oberon, Juliette Binoche).
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
She’d been diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma, a precursor to cancer, and received infusions to keep it from progressing to active multiple myeloma for years.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
In the fall, the temperature cools and the trees turn, providing a smoldering backdrop for outdoor concerts and festivals.
—Ellie Nan Storck, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026
And Jacob Elordi, the Thinking Man’s Heartthrob, avoided becoming a generic Netflix idol by smoldering his way to an Oscar nomination, in between his seasons playing the angsty jock Nate.
—New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Using forklifts, rescue workers removed smoldering debris and sifted through ruins for survivors.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
In the footage, a large field of aircraft debris can be seen still smoldering.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
But there is some comparable firepower smoldering in the undercards, including Sunday homecomings for Dance Gavin Dance and the first Oleander gig in eight years.
—Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
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
-
The musical — a rock-and-raunch, goth-and-gay parody of cheesy, mid-century horror/sci-fi flicks — was created by Richard O’Brien (book, music, lyrics and who performed as the snarling butler Riff Raff).—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
-
From those ashes, Detroit has somehow pivoted, almost overnight, into this season’s snarling, physical bunch that was one of the NBA’s best defensive teams.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some balconies face south and are blazing hot for hours a day, while others spend most of the time in the shade.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Two children watch him from behind while, in one sliver of the background on the top left side of the picture, a blazing red sunset overruns the sky.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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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Ideal for reheating leftovers and frozen food, steaming food in the microwave, and at-a-glance food storage for easy grab and go.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
-
That is a steaming hot pile of garbage.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This campy, reality-shifting comedy series questions what would happen if a flaming misogynist woke up in a world that was completely matriarchal and subjugated men based on their gender.—
Madeleine Janz,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
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The juvenile managed to drive the flaming car back onto the freeway, driving again the wrong direction before the car gave out near the Auburn Boulevard on-ramp.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Hot black smoke socked her in the face; the staircase had become a glowing, spastic frenzy.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
According to Moore, stainless steel requires regular cleaning to keep a glowing appearance.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Slender claws are prone to snapping.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Apr. 2026
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But the enthusiasm was motivating, from fans snapping photos of Hathaway and Meryl Streep on the New York streets, to support from Anna Wintour.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smoldering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smoldering. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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