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flame 1 of 2

noun

ˈflām How to pronounce flame (audio)
Definition of flamenext
as in sweetheart
a person with whom one is in love decided to look up an old flame while she was in town

Synonyms & Similar Words

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flame

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to glow
to be on fire especially brightly guests gathered around as the Yule log flamed brightly in the inn's great stone fireplace

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2
as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently my anger flamed when the usher told my friend to shut up

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3
as in to burn
to shine with a bright harsh light the noonday sun flamed down on the desert travelers

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4
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light the actress's ruby necklace flamed dazzlingly under the bright lights

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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 flame
Noun
The flame-throwing Schlittler has been on a meteoric rise since making his MLB debut on July 9, 2025. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026 The sun pixels touch the tree pixels directly, yet the tree does not burst into flames. — Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
For one thing, the flaming robot arms also kept smashing into things. — Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026 Even Miami locals are guilty of thinking a tiny little cap will effectively shield their faces from the wrath of the flaming Florida sun. — Mariana Zapata, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flame
  1. sweetheart
  2. glow
  3. erupt
  4. burn
  5. gleam
  6. darling
  7. blaze
  8. explode
Noun
  • But when his best friend Lloyd (Bergen) invites Eddie’s first love and former camp sweetheart Erin (Cohan) to the bachelor weekend, the reunion becomes a reckoning with old relationships, unresolved love and the question of what might have been.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
  • During his time with the Lions, Matthew married Kelly, his college sweetheart, in April 2015.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of sweetheart
Verb
  • Local baking star Colossus Bread has expanded to a full restaurant setting right by the waterfront, earning a glowing Times review.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The tool relies on a soluble liquid substitute that glows during the reaction, reducing measurement times to minutes and enabling rapid evaluation of large libraries of enzyme variants.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • Davis said another group of students arrived and the two exchanged words before gunfire erupted.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 28 Sep. 2026
  • On his third day in France, Leo again waded into the end-of-life debate that has erupted in countries around the world.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of erupt
Verb
  • This photograph shows a fire burning at the Dobrobut medical centre following a Russian aerial attack on Kyiv on 28 September 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Continue reading … CHIPS OFF THE TABLE — Former Obama aide says Democratic donors still feel burned, cautious after 2024.
    — , FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • My Instagram Discover page is a narcotic carousel of supple leather and gleaming metal.
    — Adam Erace, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In the gleaming lobby, the brand’s signature scent—a warm and woody fragrance reminiscent of two of my favorites, Comme des Garçons’ Wonderwood and Odin New York’s 07 Tanoke—greeted me.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • Labubu — the coolest kid on the bag charm block is now Coach’s Ducky, a darling creation composed of shearling, felt, and vachetta leather.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Conclave proved an audience hit as well as an award darling, generating over $125 million at the global box office on a $20 million budget.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of darling
Verb
  • Deborah looks to blaze her own trail at Hillman, but the historically Black college is facing financial challenges, forcing her to quickly emerge as a leader.
    — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026
  • If first seasons are when new designers demonstrate their brand knowledge, then second and third are when designers start to blaze their own paths while evolving the fashion house.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of blaze
Verb
  • Launched in 2004, the $364-million observatory is designed to pivot quickly — as its name suggests — to capture gamma ray bursts, exploding stars and other fast-breaking cosmic action.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Launched in 2004, the $364 million observatory is designed to pivot quickly -- as its name suggests -- to capture gamma ray bursts, exploding stars and other fast-breaking cosmic action.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of explode

Phrases Containing flame

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flamboyantly
flame
flamed
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Cite this Entry

“Flame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flame. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flame

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flame

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