smoldering
Burning without flames
Smoldering describes burning slowly without flame, producing smoke and heat: smoldering embers, a smoldering cigarette.
The word extends to emotions that burn quietly beneath the surface—suppressed anger, resentment, or desire: smoldering tension between the two families.
A smoldering look or gaze conveys intense, barely contained sexual attraction: He gave her a smoldering stare across the room.
Extreme in degree
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
- sultryHot, humid, or alluring
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
alluring · magnetic · mesmerizing · sensual · provocative · steamy · tantalizing · bedroom eyes
Smoldering fire remnants
- glowingGiving off steady light
- coalsBurned or burning carbon
- ashCombustion's powdery remains
- cindersPartly burned coal pieces
charcoal · firepit · campfire · hearth · brazier · warmth · flameless · incandescent
Intensely, quietly enraged
- simmeringCooking below boiling point
- pent-upConfined and building pressure
- festeringBecoming infected, decaying
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
bitterness · suppressed · stifled · undercurrent · buried · latent · unspoken · brewing
Starting combustion process
- flammableProne to ignition
- combustibleCapable of burning
- fire hazardCombustion danger source
- spontaneous combustionCatching fire independently
oxidation · flashpoint · thermal runaway · volatile · incendiary · firetrap · hazardous · conflagration
intense
Extreme in degree
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
- sultryHot, humid, or alluring
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
brooding · alluring · magnetic · mesmerizing · sensual · provocative · steamy · tantalizing · bedroom eyes · come-hither
embers
Smoldering fire remnants
cinders · charcoal · firepit · campfire · hearth · brazier · warmth · flameless · incandescent · dying fire
seething
Intensely, quietly enraged
- simmeringCooking below boiling point
- pent-upConfined and building pressure
- festeringBecoming infected, decaying
grudge · bitterness · suppressed · stifled · undercurrent · buried · latent · unspoken · brewing · building
ignition
Starting combustion process
- flammableProne to ignition
- combustibleCapable of burning
- fire hazardCombustion danger source
spontaneous combustion · oxidation · flashpoint · thermal runaway · volatile · incendiary · firetrap · hazardous · conflagration · arson
haze
Murky atmospheric suspension
curling · acrid · billowing · chimney · exhaust · incense · tobacco · cigarette · cigar · hookah
- temperaturehot, cold, warm, cool, freezing
- Wildfireswildfire, grass fire, surface fire, spot fire, fire front
- Bonfireflames, fire pit, embers, firewood, logs
- fire idiomsplay with fire, fight fire with fire, fan the flames, add fuel to fire, on fire
- resentmentresentful, grudge, bitterness, rancor, spite
- volcano wordsactive, dormant, extinct, molten, eruptive
smolder, smolders, smoldered, smouldering, smoulder, smouldered, smoulders