simmered; simmering
ˈsi-mə-riŋ 
ˈsim-riŋ
1
: to stew gently below or just at the boiling point
: to cook slowly in a liquid just below the boiling point
Examples of simmer in a Sentence
Verb
Simmer the stew for 40 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
The chicken was simmered in a cream sauce.
The dispute simmered for years before any progress was made.
It's a debate that has simmered for 30 years and is likely to continue.
Long-simmering tensions between the two groups eventually sparked violence.
Noun
Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Priya Krishna, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, back home, old fights are still simmering.
—Sandra Dallas, The Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2024
But something weird and violent was simmering out of sight.
—Peter Guest, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024
England avoided direct involvement, but the nation simmered with internal religious tension.
—Kerry J. Byrne Fox News, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2024
Let the mixture simmer for five minutes before setting it aside.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Let simmer until the soup is thick and flavorful, adding more salt if needed, 15 to 25 minutes.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024
Drop them into a pot of simmering chicken noodle or tomato soup.
—Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
The mixture can be stored once overnight: Place it in an airtight jar or container and refrigerate, then boil and simmer again the next day.
06 of 13
Homemade Laundry Detergent and Rinse Aid
Skip expensive detergents and save money with these simple laundry recipes.
—Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024
Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024
Pour in the reserved cooking liquid, bring to a simmer and cover.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024
And Ed Pierson witnessed firsthand the simmer building to a boil.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2024
Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer, cover and cook until the rice has absorbed all the liquid, about 25 minutes.
—Cindy Dampier, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
The levelheaded Lerman tends to stay at a relaxed simmer.
—Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Finish cooking sauce: Meanwhile, bring remaining Marsala mixture to a simmer over medium.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
While the soup simmers, combine the ricotta and Parmesan in a medium bowl.
—Christina Morales, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024
Segarra’s voice has soft edges but a hard center, befitting songs in which outrage and pain simmer beneath the pastoral.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
Across South Asia and its diaspora, dal — which refers to both the legumes and the finished dish — is inherently linked to comfort, whether simmered with coconut milk, sweetened with a little jaggery or topped with crisp curry leaves.
—Priya Krishna, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, back home, old fights are still simmering.
—Sandra Dallas, The Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2024
But something weird and violent was simmering out of sight.
—Peter Guest, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024
England avoided direct involvement, but the nation simmered with internal religious tension.
—Kerry J. Byrne Fox News, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2024
Let the mixture simmer for five minutes before setting it aside.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024
Let simmer until the soup is thick and flavorful, adding more salt if needed, 15 to 25 minutes.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024
Drop them into a pot of simmering chicken noodle or tomato soup.
—Ellie Krieger, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
The mixture can be stored once overnight: Place it in an airtight jar or container and refrigerate, then boil and simmer again the next day.
06 of 13
Homemade Laundry Detergent and Rinse Aid
Skip expensive detergents and save money with these simple laundry recipes.
—Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024
Noun
Turn the heat to high, bring the soup to a simmer, add the pieces of asparagus (reserving the tips), and then lower the heat and partially cover the pot.
—Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024
Pour in the reserved cooking liquid, bring to a simmer and cover.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024
And Ed Pierson witnessed firsthand the simmer building to a boil.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2024
Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer, cover and cook until the rice has absorbed all the liquid, about 25 minutes.
—Cindy Dampier, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
The levelheaded Lerman tends to stay at a relaxed simmer.
—Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Finish cooking sauce: Meanwhile, bring remaining Marsala mixture to a simmer over medium.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024
While the soup simmers, combine the ricotta and Parmesan in a medium bowl.
—Christina Morales, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024
Segarra’s voice has soft edges but a hard center, befitting songs in which outrage and pain simmer beneath the pastoral.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'simmer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near simmer
Cite this Entry
“Simmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simmer. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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