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flare-up

noun \ ˈfler-ˌəp \
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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

See flare-up defined for English-language learners

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First Known Use of flare-up

1839

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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flare-up Synonyms

Synonyms

burst, flare, flash, flicker, flurry, flutter, outbreak, outburst, spurt;

Near Antonyms

calm, doldrums, slump;

Related Words

recrudescence, recurrence, renewal;

binge, jag, spree;

boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn;

epidemic, eruption, explosion, paroxysm;

deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley;

commotion, furor, uproar;

FLARE-UP Defined for English Language Learners

flare-up

noun

  • : a sudden occurrence of flame

  • : a sudden occurrence or expression of anger

  • : an occurrence in which something (such as violence or a disease) suddenly begins or becomes worse

Medical Dictionary

flare-up

noun \ -ˌəp \
: a sudden appearance or worsening of the symptoms of a disease or condition
  • an asthmatic flare-up

Learn More about flare-up

  1. See words that rhyme with flare-up Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flare-up Spanish Central: Translation of flare-up

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