smolder
verb (used without object)
to burn without flame; undergo slow or suppressed combustion.
have been smoldering
-
present perfect progressiveof smolder.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Since at least spring, acres of garbage have been smoldering in a closed portion of the Castaic landfill, causing contaminated water to burst onto surrounding hillsides and sending putrid odors into surrounding neighborhoods.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 21, 2023
Hundreds of feet underground, in a long-dormant portion of Chiquita Canyon landfill, tons of garbage have been smoldering for months due to an enigmatic chemical reaction.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2023
A bout of rain over the weekend brought some relief from forest fires that have been smoldering in the western Cascades for more than a month.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 23, 2022
The tinder that seemed to burst into flames all at once may have been smoldering for many years.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 25, 2017
Then Lilly followed one of her curious and absolutely irrepressible impulses, one that must have been smoldering who knows how long.
From Star-Dust by Fannie Hurst
