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
Washington and Tehran differ over whether Iran has a say in which vessels can cross the crucial waterway and when, leading to flare-ups.
—
Victoria Craw,
Washington Post,
27 June 2026
The flare-up quickly transformed Lebanon from a peripheral concern into a central question hanging over the Iran war and the nascent peace talks.
—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
Firefighters have declared the blaze knocked down but will stay on scene for flare-ups as demolition begins, while officials promise a health-conscious cleanup that minimizes impacts on surrounding residents.
—
Jazmin Alvarado,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
However, as reports of Iranian retaliation and the latest fracturing of the fragile and decried peace deal resulted, Vance also became the voice of the administration on the flare-up Friday.
—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare-up
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Victoria Craw,
Washington Post,
27 June 2026
The flare-up quickly transformed Lebanon from a peripheral concern into a central question hanging over the Iran war and the nascent peace talks.
—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
Firefighters have declared the blaze knocked down but will stay on scene for flare-ups as demolition begins, while officials promise a health-conscious cleanup that minimizes impacts on surrounding residents.
—
Jazmin Alvarado,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
However, as reports of Iranian retaliation and the latest fracturing of the fragile and decried peace deal resulted, Vance also became the voice of the administration on the flare-up Friday.
—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
26 June 2026
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 30 Jun. 2026.
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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