flare-up

noun

ˈfler-ˌəp 

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

Synonyms of flare-up

• flurry
• burst
• outburst
• outbreak
• flare

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

The flare-up has reached that scale in just over two months, surpassing the country’s last major Ebola epidemic, which spanned nearly two years between August 2018 and June 2020. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

In my 40s, the hives started lingering even longer—at least six weeks after each flare-up. — Kristen Willard, Glamour, 3 Aug. 2026

In France, firefighters in the region around Bordeaux guarded against potential flare-ups inside a still-burning scar four times the size of Paris. — Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Geopolitical flare-ups in the Middle East are disrupting supply chains. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for flare-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

flare-up

noun

ˈfla(ə)r-ˌəp, 

ˈfle(ə)r-

: a sudden burst (as of flame or anger)

Medical Definition

flare-up

noun

-ˌəp 

: a sudden appearance or worsening of the symptoms of a disease or condition

an asthmatic flare-up