smoulderverb [ I ]
UK US smolder uk/ˈsməʊl.dər/us/ˈsmoʊl.dɚ/smoulder verb [ I ] (BURN)
to burn slowly with smoke but without flames:
a smouldering fire
smouldering embers
The fire was started by a smouldering cigarette.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Burning, burnt & on fire
- aflame
- alight
- burned out
- burnt
- burnt out
- burst
- char
- flame
- flammable
- forest fire
- frazzled
- go up in flames idiom
- incinerate
- inextinguishable
- lighted
- scald
- sear
- singe
- smoke
- spontaneous combustion
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smoulder verb [ I ] (PROBLEM)
If a problem or unpleasant situation smoulders, it continues to exist and may become worse at any time:
The dispute is still smouldering, five years after the negotiations began.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Making progress and advancing
- a step forward idiom
- advance
- advancement
- ahead
- be cooking idiom
- betterment
- develop
- go great guns idiom
- graduate
- grow
- grow into sb/sth
- grow out of sth
- have come a long way idiom
- rise
- shape
- simmer
- speciation
- spread your wings idiom
- steer a course/path idiom
- step
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smoulder verb [ I ] (EMOTION)
If a strong emotion smoulders, it exists, but is prevented from being expressed:
She was smouldering with rage as she explained how her son had been killed.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Strong feelings
- all-consuming
- anguish
- ardent
- be beside yourself idiom
- be convulsed with laughter, rage, etc. idiom
- beside
- explosive
- fiery
- hormonal
- hot-blooded
- impassioned
- ineffable
- inexpressible
- profound
- safety valve
- siren call
- supercharged
- unquenchable
- vehement
- vehemently
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Controlling emotions
smoulder verb [ I ] (ROMANTIC FEELINGS)
A person who smoulders has strong sexual or romantic feelings but does not express them:
He gazed at her with smouldering eyes, wishing she wasn't married.