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
Topline At least three people have died in a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem, authorities said in the most recent update, in the latest summer flare-up of the disease that officials say primarily impacts older people and is potentially linked to poorly maintained cooling towers.
—
Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Systemic drugs, including the antibiotic doxycycline, can help cool off inflammation in the scalp during flare-ups and can be used for anywhere from one month to a year.
—Ashley Abramson, Allure, 4 Aug. 2025
Joint pain and swelling are also more likely in those with more severe or frequent IBD flare-ups.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 2 Aug. 2025
As Warzel notes, these culture-war flare-ups rarely have much to do with the object that’s actually being discussed.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for flare-up
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Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Systemic drugs, including the antibiotic doxycycline, can help cool off inflammation in the scalp during flare-ups and can be used for anywhere from one month to a year.
—Ashley Abramson, Allure, 4 Aug. 2025
Joint pain and swelling are also more likely in those with more severe or frequent IBD flare-ups.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 2 Aug. 2025
As Warzel notes, these culture-war flare-ups rarely have much to do with the object that’s actually being discussed.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 31 July 2025
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 20 Aug. 2025.
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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