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

• 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 truce holds, with many steps ahead The Gaza ceasefire has largely held aside from a flare-up in fighting last Sunday that left two Israeli soldiers and more than 40 Palestinians dead. —NPR, 22 Oct. 2025

Experts don’t know what causes the disease, though having a baby may have contributed to the flare-up that led to my diagnosis. —Michelle Maves, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

The latest flare-up coincided with a historic trip by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Pakistan’s rival India, triggering concern in Islamabad. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025

The trade war flare-up sent the S&P 500 to its worst loss since April, and investors are eyeing a stock market rebound. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025

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