Definitions
- Describing a fire that is burning slowly with smoke but without flames. - Referring to a feeling or emotion that is suppressed but still present. - Talking about a situation that is tense or dangerous but has not yet erupted into violence or conflict.
- Describing a liquid that is heated to just below boiling point. - Referring to a situation that is tense or emotional but has not yet reached a crisis point. - Talking about a feeling or emotion that is building up gradually but has not yet been expressed.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a situation that is not yet at its peak.
- 2Both words suggest a gradual buildup of tension or emotion.
- 3Both words can be used metaphorically to describe non-physical situations.
What is the difference?
- 1Temperature: Smolder suggests a lower temperature than simmer, which implies heat just below boiling point.
- 2Intensity: Smolder suggests a more subdued or hidden state than simmer, which implies a more active or visible state.
- 3Duration: Smolder suggests a longer-lasting state than simmer, which implies a shorter duration.
- 4Connotation: Smolder has a negative connotation, suggesting danger or potential harm, while simmer has a more neutral connotation, suggesting a gradual buildup of tension or emotion.
Remember this!
Smolder and simmer are both verbs that describe a situation that is not yet at its peak, but there are some differences in their meaning. Smolder suggests a slow-burning, hidden state that can be dangerous or harmful if left unchecked, while simmer suggests a gradual buildup of tension or emotion that may or may not lead to a crisis point.
