smolders
Glows without flame
Smolders is the third-person singular of smolder, meaning to burn slowly without flame, producing smoke and heat: The campfire smoldered through the night.
Figuratively, to smolder is to exist in a suppressed state, ready to flare up: Resentment smoldered beneath his calm exterior.
A smoldering look conveys intense, barely contained desire or anger.
Cooking below boiling point
- festeringBecoming infected, decaying
- brewingBeverage preparation process
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
anger · fury · rage · hostility · tension · animosity · suppressed · underlying
Inactive but capable
- underlyingExisting beneath the surface
- suppressedForcibly held down
- hiddenKept out of sight
- simmeringCooking below boiling point
potential · subdued · unexpressed · quiescent · incipient · brewing · unawakened · repressed
Extreme in degree
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
- sultryHot, humid, or alluring
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- passionateIntensely emotional or enthusiastic
desire · longing · allure · magnetism · chemistry · tension · attraction · provocative
Exothermic reaction with oxygen
ignite · heat · fire · smoke · carbonize · sear · creeping · spreading
simmering
Cooking below boiling point
- festeringBecoming infected, decaying
- brewingBeverage preparation process
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
bitterness · anger · fury · rage · hostility · tension · animosity · suppressed · underlying · unspoken
dormant
Inactive but capable
- underlyingExisting beneath the surface
- suppressedForcibly held down
- hiddenKept out of sight
simmering · potential · subdued · unexpressed · quiescent · incipient · brewing · unawakened · repressed · contained
intense
Extreme in degree
- seductivePowerfully attractive, tempting
- sultryHot, humid, or alluring
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
passionate · desire · longing · allure · magnetism · chemistry · tension · attraction · provocative · steamy
combustion
Exothermic reaction with oxygen
kindle · ignite · heat · fire · smoke · carbonize · sear · creeping · spreading · catching
coals
Burned or burning carbon
fireplace · hearth · campfire · firepit · residue · afterglow · dying · banked · glowing · fading
haze
Murky atmospheric suspension
- ashCombustion's powdery remains
- sootCarbon from incomplete burning
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
woodfire · peat · campfire · bonfire · chimney · tobacco · mesquite · wisps · acrid · sulfur
smoldersexplodes
Bursts apart violently
erupts · vents · boils over · lashes out · flares up