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
Examples of flare-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is why psoriasis is a chronic disorder and for many people (including Kim Kardashian), keeping flare-ups at bay can be a lifelong battle.
—
Kelly Dougher, Allure, 21 Nov. 2023
Even as the fighting in Gaza has ground on, there also have been periodic flare-ups along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, where the militant group Hezbollah has a strong presence.
—Paul Schemm, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
The flurry of armed confrontations could be just such a phenomenon, concealing no deeper meaning: Some of the frozen conflicts, for instance, were due for flare-ups or had gone quiet only recently.
—Paul Poast, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2023
Within 72 hours, the flare-up in the Marina had transformed from a nonlethal assault into a news story of seemingly global import — another data point about a city in free fall.
—Jesse Barron, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
Over the last year, however, the UN has seemed more rudderless than ever, unable to respond to crises ranging from violent flare-ups in Sudan and Nagorno-Karabakh to the coup in Niger.
—Richard Gowan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Nov. 2023
As highlighted in yesterday’s PM Update, the two blazes in the Appalachians well southwest of D.C. are potentially going to regain some flare-up capability with long-term drought remaining persistent in the region.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2023
The intervention works by using devices and an app to encourage people to regularly reflect on symptoms and triggers and to equip them to better respond to flare-ups.
—Mario Aguilar, STAT, 9 Nov. 2023
The region, which the United Nations envisions as part of an eventual Palestinian state, has seen a flare-up of violence.
—Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2023
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Kelly Dougher, Allure, 21 Nov. 2023
Even as the fighting in Gaza has ground on, there also have been periodic flare-ups along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, where the militant group Hezbollah has a strong presence.
—Paul Schemm, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
The flurry of armed confrontations could be just such a phenomenon, concealing no deeper meaning: Some of the frozen conflicts, for instance, were due for flare-ups or had gone quiet only recently.
—Paul Poast, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2023
Within 72 hours, the flare-up in the Marina had transformed from a nonlethal assault into a news story of seemingly global import — another data point about a city in free fall.
—Jesse Barron, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
Over the last year, however, the UN has seemed more rudderless than ever, unable to respond to crises ranging from violent flare-ups in Sudan and Nagorno-Karabakh to the coup in Niger.
—Richard Gowan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Nov. 2023
As highlighted in yesterday’s PM Update, the two blazes in the Appalachians well southwest of D.C. are potentially going to regain some flare-up capability with long-term drought remaining persistent in the region.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2023
The intervention works by using devices and an app to encourage people to regularly reflect on symptoms and triggers and to equip them to better respond to flare-ups.
—Mario Aguilar, STAT, 9 Nov. 2023
The region, which the United Nations envisions as part of an eventual Palestinian state, has seen a flare-up of violence.
—Joel Gehrke, Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flare-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Dictionary Entries Near flare-up
Cite this Entry
“Flare-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flare-up. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
flare-up
nounˈfla(ə)r-ˌəp,
ˈfle(ə)r-
: a sudden burst (as of flame or anger)
Medical 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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