as in darlings
a person with whom one is in love
decided to look up an old flame while she was in town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in burns
to be on fire especially brightly
guests gathered around as the Yule log flamed brightly in the inn's great stone fireplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in erupts
to develop suddenly and violently
my anger flamed when the usher told my friend to shut up
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in glows
to shine with a bright harsh light
the noonday sun flamed down on the desert travelers
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in gleams
to shoot forth bursts of light
the actress's ruby necklace flamed dazzlingly under the bright lights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flames
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
Several area fire departments responded and were able to extinguish the flames; however, the building was severely damaged, according to the sheriff's office.
—Riley Moser, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
When using dryer lint, keep in mind that fire safety is a factor, so keep it away from flames.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
But people like him weren’t willing to watch their homes and ranches go up in flames without a fight.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
The first units on scene encountered heavy fire conditions and flames coming through the roof, fire officials said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
The flames were fueled by going-out-of-business sales that have already started at some 40 units whose leases reportedly expired at the end of January.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Officers captured the scene using a drone, which showed the man balancing on the unicycle as flames flickered just feet from passing vehicles.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
The impact caused the vehicle to become fully engulfed in flames, FHP said.
—Elainie Barraza, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
Drivers were able to see the flames from I-70 and called 911.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
Several area fire departments responded and were able to extinguish the flames; however, the building was severely damaged, according to the sheriff's office.
—Riley Moser, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
When using dryer lint, keep in mind that fire safety is a factor, so keep it away from flames.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
But people like him weren’t willing to watch their homes and ranches go up in flames without a fight.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
The first units on scene encountered heavy fire conditions and flames coming through the roof, fire officials said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
The flames were fueled by going-out-of-business sales that have already started at some 40 units whose leases reportedly expired at the end of January.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Officers captured the scene using a drone, which showed the man balancing on the unicycle as flames flickered just feet from passing vehicles.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
The impact caused the vehicle to become fully engulfed in flames, FHP said.
—Elainie Barraza, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flames
Noun
-
Leading the way are Vogue cover star Rosalía, Olympian Alysa Liu, and street-style darlings.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The absence of those factors is likely why none of his films broke through to reach a wider audience or became awards season darlings.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That’s because it’s made by heating limestone to high temperatures, a process that burns a large amount of fossil fuels for energy and releases carbon dioxide from the limestone in the process.—
Alcina Johnson Sudagar,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Stationary biking typically burns more calories in a shorter period of time and is easier on the joints.—
RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For some, the most danger erupts in their own neighborhoods.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
-
There are niggling, nagging, familiar concerns, like not taking chances, like being hit on the counter, but our section erupts when Willock scores and then erupts again when his goal is ruled out.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In San Francisco, Chinatown glows with lanterns, pop‑up performances, and bustling markets as the city builds toward its iconic Chinese New Year Parade on March 7 — one of the largest outside Asia.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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Your 5th House of Creativity glows with a Solar Eclipse, inviting playful expression and heartfelt risk that helps love and artistry feel alive again.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Like Beckham’s dress, the 100-percent silk dress softly gleams in the light.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Despite a couple of funky skips, the album is fueled by the hunger of an artist who really wants the pop life again, perking up electro-scuzz and arena rock with new wave that gleams like glitter.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The couple are middle school sweethearts, having met in their home state of North Carolina.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
-
However, there are several couples from earlier seasons who have gone the distance, including America’s sweethearts from season 1, Lauren and Cameron.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The council in 2024 rejected a 498-unit apartment complex nearby in Deer Canyon over similar concerns related to evacuations and the area’s proneness to blazes.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
-
In another, a knockout image featuring two children resting on their backs, sunlight blazes with an almost divisive intent, turning one child’s eyeglasses opaque with its glare while leaving his friend’s face in shadow.—
Dawn Chan,
New Yorker,
6 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Peter ultimately takes down his foe and escapes the van just in time before the truck explodes underwater.—
Ashley Boucher,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The conversation continues as a dress explodes into cash.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flames. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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