smolder
Glow without flames
To smolder is to burn slowly without flame, producing smoke but no visible fire: The campfire smoldered through the night.
Figuratively, smolder describes suppressed intensity—emotions that burn beneath the surface: Resentment smoldered in her for years.
A smoldering look conveys barely contained desire or anger.
The noun smolder is the state of burning this way.
Steady, soft light
- coalsBurned or burning carbon
- ashCombustion's powdery remains
- cindersPartly burned coal pieces
- charBurn without destroying
heat · warmth · fireplace · smoke · afterglow · flicker · dying · spark
Persistent bitter displeasure
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- uneaseMild persistent worry
discontent · antagonism · conflict · suspicion · volatility · simmer · brew · seethe
Intense, violent anger
- furyIntense violent anger
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- seetheBoil with quiet rage
- simmerCook just under boiling
fester · brood · fume · stew · grudge · bitterness · wrath · suppressed
glow
Steady, soft light
char · heat · warmth · fireplace · smoke · afterglow · flicker · dying · spark · incandescent
resentment
Persistent bitter displeasure
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
unease · discontent · antagonism · conflict · suspicion · volatility · simmer · brew · seethe · fester
rage
Intense, violent anger
- furyIntense violent anger
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- seetheBoil with quiet rage
simmer · fester · brood · fume · stew · grudge · bitterness · wrath · suppressed · pent-up
desire
Intense wanting
ardor · attraction · heat · chemistry · sensuality · seduction · gaze · eyes · glance · allure
scorch
Burn superficially
ignite · combust · flame · blaze · fire · torch · incinerate · kindle · carbonize · catch
- facial expressionssmiling, smile, grin, grinning, frown
- flirtingpickup line, wink, winking, hair flip, chat-up line
- heat and fireignite, burn, flame, blaze, combust
- smoldering thingsembers, coals, charcoal, incense, peat fire
- fire byproductssmoke, soot, ash, embers, char
- combustionburning, flames, fire triangle, ignition source, oxygen