smolder
verb (used without object)
to burn without flame; undergo slow or suppressed combustion.
was smoldering
-
past progressiveof smolder.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
When she got there, the arrivals hall dating back to the 19th century was smoldering.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 28, 2025
“It looks like a possibility that the fire was smoldering for some time inside the building before anyone was made aware,” he said.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 1, 2023
By the time they got back, what remained of their lives was smoldering and drenched.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2022
When Thomas traveled to the park last week to report this story, the Washburn fire was smoldering.
From New York Times ● Jul. 27, 2022
And he tried to find one equally hearty in its pleasures of damnation, but he was smoldering so low that he could not keep the tempo up.
From "Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy" by Gary D. Schmidt
