smolder

verb

smol·​der ˈsmōl-dər How to pronounce smolder (audio)
variants or smoulder
smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering ˈsmōl-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce smolder (audio)
Synonyms of smolder

intransitive verb

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
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.
As if this weren’t enough for one day, Venus will also make its debut in the secretive and smoldering sign of Scorpio, where the love planet trades light-hearted flirtation for something deeper and way more intense. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 Shortly before midnight, the crew beat out a fifty-acre fire that was smoldering delicately through lush green tundra. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Sun and high air temperatures add environmental heat, while flames and smoldering fuels contribute radiant heat. — Julian L. Gallegos, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Emergency crews worked under the threat of additional strikes to put out the fire, and had to cut through the flooring between two building levels to extinguish smoldering materials, as per Ukrainian government platform United24. — News Desk, Artforum, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smolder

Word History

Etymology

Middle English smolderen to smother, from smolder smoke, smudge; akin to Middle Dutch smōlen to smolder

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of smolder was in 1529

Rhymes for smolder

See All Rhymes for smolder

Browse Nearby Words

smol
smolder
smolderingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smolder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smolder. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

smolder

1 of 2 noun
smol·​der
variants or smoulder
ˈsmōl-dər
: a slow smoky fire

smolder

2 of 2 verb
variants or smoulder
smoldered or smouldered; smoldering or smouldering
-d(ə-)riŋ
1
: to burn slowly with smoke and usually without flame
fire was smoldering in the pit
2
: to exist or continue in a hidden or controlled state
discontent smoldered for years before the revolt
3
: to burn inwardly
anger smoldered in my heart

More from Merriam-Webster on smolder

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for smolder

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