smoulder
Americanverb (used without object)
verb
-
to burn slowly without flame, usually emitting smoke
-
(esp of anger, etc) to exist in a suppressed or half-suppressed state
-
to have strong repressed or half repressed feelings, esp anger
noun
-
dense smoke, as from a smouldering fire
-
a smouldering fire
Other Word Forms
- unsmouldering adjective
- unsmoulderingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of smoulder
C14: from smolder (n), of obscure origin
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.
Once people realized that the authorities had not acted in their best interest, resentment began to smoulder.
From Scientific American • Nov. 17, 2022
The fire continued to smoulder into Monday, but was threatening neither oil and gas infrastructure nor people's lives, Azerbaijan's emergency ministry said.
From BBC • Jul. 5, 2021
The WHO has previously said the Covid-19 pandemic could smoulder in Africa for several years after killing as many as 190,000 people in the coming 12 months.
From The Guardian • Jun. 18, 2020
Yet the remnants of what just a generation ago were vast swathes of virgin rainforest still smoulder and flame.
From Economist • Sep. 10, 2015
In the centre of the town the bonfire was beginning to smoulder.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
