1
: a sudden outburst or intensification
a flare-up of hostilities
2
: a sudden bursting (as of a smoldering fire) into flame or light
a danger of flare-ups
3
: a sudden appearance or worsening of the symptoms of a disease or condition
an asthmatic flare-up
Examples of flare-up in a Sentence
took medication to prevent a flare-up of her asthma
there's no need for an angry flare-up, as we'll take care of the problem immediately
Recent Examples on the Web
During the last major flare-up between the two countries, when militants killed dozens of Indian security forces in Kashmir in 2019 and passions surged on both sides of the border, the Pakistani military’s hold on public sentiment remained strong.
—
Salman Masood, New York Times, 2 May 2025
That is the Judy Gemstone experience, a constant low simmer with occasional flare-ups that could result in property damage at any moment.
—Brian Grubb, Vulture, 1 May 2025
However, about half of the patients who use three different kinds of inhaled medications continue to experience COPD flare-ups, according to drugmakers Regeneron and Sanofi.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2025
Experts don't fully understand the exact cause, but certain triggers can cause psoriasis flare-ups (periods when symptoms appear or worsen).3
An environmental allergy is also an inflammatory condition.
—Corinne Savides Happel, Health, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flare-up
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Salman Masood, New York Times, 2 May 2025
That is the Judy Gemstone experience, a constant low simmer with occasional flare-ups that could result in property damage at any moment.
—Brian Grubb, Vulture, 1 May 2025
However, about half of the patients who use three different kinds of inhaled medications continue to experience COPD flare-ups, according to drugmakers Regeneron and Sanofi.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2025
Experts don't fully understand the exact cause, but certain triggers can cause psoriasis flare-ups (periods when symptoms appear or worsen).3
An environmental allergy is also an inflammatory condition.
—Corinne Savides Happel, Health, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flare-up
Cite this Entry
“Flare-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flare-up. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
flare-up
noun
: a sudden appearance or worsening of the symptoms of a disease or condition
an asthmatic flare-up
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