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flash

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verb

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as in to twinkle
to shine with light at regular intervals the disco lights flashed, and the revelers danced

Synonyms & Similar Words

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flash

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flash contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flash are gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When is it sensible to use gleam instead of flash?

Although the words gleam and flash have much in common, gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When could glimmer be used to replace flash?

The words glimmer and flash are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

Where would glint be a reasonable alternative to flash?

While in some cases nearly identical to flash, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When would glisten be a good substitute for flash?

While the synonyms glisten and flash are close in meaning, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

In what contexts can glitter take the place of flash?

The synonyms glitter and flash are sometimes interchangeable, but glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When can shimmer be used instead of flash?

The words shimmer and flash can be used in similar contexts, but shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When might sparkle be a better fit than flash?

The meanings of sparkle and flash largely overlap; however, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flash
Noun
The euro zone economy eked out a better-than-expected 0.1% growth in the second quarter, compared to the previous three-month stretch, flash data from Eurostat showed Wednesday. Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 30 July 2025 The flash, which appears almost spherical in the image, is due to lightning striking the clouds above the urban area, according to NASA. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 July 2025
Verb
Belanger is particularly worried about a community on the Hiwassee River, north of Helen, where permanent residential trailers sit near a river gauge that a recent study found was among the most-prone to flash flooding in the country. Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 24 July 2025 Stepping onto the platform of the railway station, the stony walls of West Yorkshire flashed it immediately back to me. Emily Van Duyne july 24, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
Adjective
Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025 The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank. Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for flash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash
Noun
  • This move could be the first of a flurry after Arizona was swept by Houston earlier this week.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 25 July 2025
  • That area has seen a flurry of property sales since Mayor Joe Hogsett announced his intentions to build a professional league stadium at what is now the downtown Indianapolis heliport, but some of the Simon property purchases predate the mayor's public announcement.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • The galaxy can be seen undergoing a burst of star formation thanks to the tidal influence of a galactic neighbor, with the glowing red form of an emission nebula visible throughout, giving the impression of a cosmic firework display.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 July 2025
  • The raging river bursts from its banks around this time, sweeping homes, cars, campers and cabins downstream.
    Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • But going over 10 minutes on the toilet—or severe difficulty having a bowel movement—could be a red flag.
    Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 29 July 2025
  • About 30 minutes east of Sagres, travelers can find even more peace and solitude in the quiet coastal village of Burgau.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • This is the country that, with drip irrigation, produced the miracle of growing food in the desert.
    Karl Vick, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Even with a Texas miracle, though, Democrats will still need to win a race in at least one state that Donald Trump carried by double digits in 2024, whether that's Iowa, Alaska, Florida, or Nebraska.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Set pieces are teased with just enough spectacle – exploding cars, balletic fight sequences, and globe-trotting vistas – to assure fans that the sequel is raising the stakes.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 July 2025
  • But Brown never wanted the deeper emotions of his music and the underlying story of his own personal triumphs and tragedies get lost in the spectacle.
    Scott Huver, People.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • In its place, Pacers Sports and Entertainment is building a gleaming new $78 million performance facility for the Indiana Fever.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 29 July 2025
  • Its modern aesthetic borders on too plain, though its gleaming aluminum finish exudes a premium feel and impressive strength.
    Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • Often mistaken for king snakes or milk snakes, coral snakes display distinctive red, yellow, and black rings encircling their bodies.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
  • These products are perfect for displaying on a mantel or placing by a bowl of Halloween candy.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Others at the ceremony were also dressed appropriately — guests rocked tunics and armor fit for a knight — for the castle nuptials, during which G Flip could be seen reading off of a piece of paper under twinkling lights.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 27 July 2025
  • But hidden beneath the twinkling lights is a powerhouse of technology that brings Disney Starlight to life.
    Megan duBois, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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