smouldering

USAGE SUMMARY

"smouldering" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling or emotion that is held in check, such as a smouldering resentment. For example, "The student had a smouldering resentment towards their teacher for their harsh criticism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

General Contexts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The dust around Mitchell's discarded clothes has barely stopped smouldering, and the BBC has confirmed that the show will indeed return for a fourth series.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The embers of revolt have been smouldering beneath the foundations for several years now and the independence campaign gave them the oxygen to become a full conflagration.

The Guardian - Opinion

President Barack Obama is a "Marxist-Leninist" hell-bent on destroying freedom – a dictator who lights his cigarettes with smouldering copies of the constitution as he invites brown-skinned aliens to overrun the country, and imposes socialism upon us all.

The Guardian - Opinion

And yet again British Columbia is smouldering with grievance, and not just against its American competitors.

The Economist

The streets are bestrewn with smouldering cars rocketed by helicopters.

The Economist

Its image may yet suffer further damage from a smouldering scandal surrounding party finance and the murder of a PT mayor before the election.In this section The year of changing unexpectedly Oscar night ReprintsYet the magic endures.

The Economist

They see David Cameron picking his way through the smouldering rubble of Brussels to dictate to shell-shocked Eurocrats the terms of Britain's future dealings with the European Union.

The Economist

Faeces are dried slowly within the toilet before being fed into a smouldering sand-filled reactor.

The Economist

IN THE smouldering economic landscape of the euro zone, the future is riding on two men.

The Economist

He points to the north where the last rays of the sun cast a blue veil over hills of desiccated bamboo, shabby tea bushes and denuded, smouldering forests.

The Economist

Rather than start the Italian presidency with a renewed drive towards European unity, Mr Berlusconi sparked a row with Germany that is still smouldering.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smouldering" to describe situations or emotions that are suppressed but have the potential to erupt or intensify. It's particularly effective when conveying a sense of underlying tension or unresolved conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "smouldering" when a situation is already openly explosive. The word implies a hidden or barely contained state, not an active conflagration.

Linguistic Context

The term "smouldering" primarily functions as a verb or adjective, describing a state of burning slowly with smoke but without flame, or expressing a barely suppressed feeling. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its versatile usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

General Contexts

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smouldering" is a versatile term predominantly used as a verb or adjective to describe a state of slow burning or suppressed emotion. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across various contexts. Its frequency is notably high in News & Media, indicating its suitability for reporting and analytical writing. Related phrases such as "simmering" and "festering" offer nuanced alternatives. While generally maintaining a neutral register, "smouldering" is particularly effective in conveying potential danger or unresolved tension, making it a valuable term for descriptive and analytical purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simmering

Implies a state of barely suppressed activity or emotion, similar to "smouldering" but often used in a less destructive context.

festering

Suggests a hidden and worsening problem or emotion, emphasizing the negative aspect of something "smouldering".

suppressed

Highlights the act of holding something back, relating to the controlled nature of something "smouldering".

latent

Indicates a potential that is not yet active, similar to something "smouldering" before it ignites.

underlying

Focuses on the hidden cause or basis of something, like the "smouldering" embers beneath a surface.

unresolved

Emphasizes the lack of resolution that allows something to continue "smouldering".

muted

Describes a reduction in intensity, relating to the controlled burn of something "smouldering".

repressed

Highlights the act of forcibly keeping something down, similar to "smouldering" emotions.

unchecked

Suggests that a force is left unconstrained and potentially harmful as it is "smouldering".

dormant

Implies inactivity with the potential to become active, much like a "smouldering" fire waiting for fuel.

FAQs

How can I use "smouldering" in a sentence?

You can use "smouldering" to describe something that is burning slowly without a flame but producing smoke, or to describe a strong emotion that is suppressed but likely to emerge. For example, "The remains of the fire were still smouldering" or "She gave him a smouldering look".

What's the difference between "simmering" and "smouldering"?

"Simmering" usually refers to a liquid being heated gently, or a state of suppressed emotion or activity. "Smouldering" usually refers to something burning slowly without a flame, or a suppressed emotion that is potentially dangerous. You can use "simmering" in scenarios where the emotion is building gently, but "smouldering" when the emotion is dangerous.

What can I say instead of "smouldering"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "simmering", "festering", or "latent".

Is "smoldering" the same as "smouldering"?

"Smoldering" is an alternative spelling of "smouldering". The spelling "smouldering" is more common in British English, while "smoldering" is more common in American English. Both are correct and interchangeable.