variants
or smoulder
1
as in to anger
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to blaze
to be on fire usually with smoke but few flames
They look forward to those long summer nights telling stories beside a smoldering campfire.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smolder
The flight from Paris to the island of Réunion, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean, takes 11 hours, skirting the smoldering crater of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano before landing just shy of the water.
—
Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025
The American Love Story team apparently reviewed auditions from over a thousand actors over the course of six months to find their John F. Kennedy Jr., but clearly, Kelly’s smoldering appeal resonated with them.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 13 May 2025
The Los Angeles wildfires were still smoldering when President Donald Trump began reversing Biden-era directives for federal agencies to tackle the climate crisis.
—Nidhi Sharma, NBC news, 12 May 2025
Aromas are reminiscent of beautiful Sicilian fields of wildflowers and olive trees with blackberry compote, fresh black currants with sweet tobacco, and a marvelous finishing note of smoldering earth that goes on and on along the sculpted tannins.
—Cathrine Todd, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smolder
Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025
The American Love Story team apparently reviewed auditions from over a thousand actors over the course of six months to find their John F. Kennedy Jr., but clearly, Kelly’s smoldering appeal resonated with them.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 13 May 2025
The Los Angeles wildfires were still smoldering when President Donald Trump began reversing Biden-era directives for federal agencies to tackle the climate crisis.
—Nidhi Sharma, NBC news, 12 May 2025
Aromas are reminiscent of beautiful Sicilian fields of wildflowers and olive trees with blackberry compote, fresh black currants with sweet tobacco, and a marvelous finishing note of smoldering earth that goes on and on along the sculpted tannins.
—Cathrine Todd, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smolder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smolder
Verb
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The move, which the governor said was necessary to increase collaboration and mentorship among civil servants, angered state workers and the labor groups representing them.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2025
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Additionally, reports had indicated that President Xi was angered over the transaction since Hutchison did not ask for approval of the deal in advance.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Leaders take responsibility, learn from setbacks and use creativity to blaze new trails.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Summer hosting season means a lot more time spent occupying your outdoor space, and the best patio umbrellas meet the occasion by gently offering respite against the blazing sun.—
Blake Bakkila,
Architectural Digest,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Whatever the reason, Musk’s attacks have snarled already tricky talks with GOP senators who are working on their version of the bill.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
4 June 2025
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Offices closed and traffic was snarled in major cities.—
Barry Hatton,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The pair, who met as college undergrads, both burned with idealism and recognized their privilege could be leveraged for a game-changing idea.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
13 Sep. 2023
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The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes circular fashion and says that, in the United States, an amount of clothing equal to a garbage truck is ferried to landfills or burned every second.—
Neeti Mehra,
Treehugger,
13 Sep. 2023
Verb
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Some research suggests that steaming kale maximizes glucosinolates.7 Consume kale with some heart-healthy fat like extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil to assist in fat-soluble vitamin absorption.—
Barbie Cervoni,
Verywell Health,
11 June 2025
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It’s smoked duck, steaming in beautiful, pale, hinoki wooden boxes.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The Empire Mica caught on fire, sending giant plumes of black smoke into the air and a massive puddle of flaming oil into the surrounding water.—
Asia London Palomba,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 June 2025
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Yes, the Savannah Bananas’ brand of baseball is far too outlandish ever to be compared to the major leagues — from flaming baseballs, rump-shaking umps and dress rehearsals.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Trying not to snap. Imagine a leadership meeting around a new AI rollout.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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The White Sox snapped their KC losing streak Friday and followed with a convincing 4-1 win on Saturday.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2025
Verb
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When reached by Vulture to comment on the apparent reference to her case, Carroll had only glowing words about her attorney.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
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Saturn will glow in the sky to the right, and the sparkly Pleiades star cluster will be visible just to the pair’s left.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smolder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smolder. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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