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
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 flames
Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
Cast iron is especially durable against flames and ash, needing little maintenance over time.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
And on this particular take, the flames immediately lick up the side of the prop and almost catch on the fabric of his sleeve.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
But honestly, a good friend shouldn’t just hype you up 24/7, fanning the flames of your anger.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 20 Oct. 2025
All of that said, nothing compares to watching real flames flickering in front of you as fresh snow falls outside.
—Dean Stattmann, Outside, 19 Oct. 2025
When the flames were put out, Rhodes walked inside certain areas of the charred home to see if there was anything that could be salvaged.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Thanks to the screen over the flames, smoke is directed out of the top and away from you and your guests.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
Over the weekend, the president fanned the flames of the trade war by threatening China with 100 percent tariffs over its imposition of export controls, only to insist, on Monday, that all was well with the bilateral trade relationship.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
Yellow or orange flames might indicate a problem with combustion or dirty burners.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025
Cast iron is especially durable against flames and ash, needing little maintenance over time.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
And on this particular take, the flames immediately lick up the side of the prop and almost catch on the fabric of his sleeve.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
But honestly, a good friend shouldn’t just hype you up 24/7, fanning the flames of your anger.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 20 Oct. 2025
All of that said, nothing compares to watching real flames flickering in front of you as fresh snow falls outside.
—Dean Stattmann, Outside, 19 Oct. 2025
When the flames were put out, Rhodes walked inside certain areas of the charred home to see if there was anything that could be salvaged.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Thanks to the screen over the flames, smoke is directed out of the top and away from you and your guests.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
Over the weekend, the president fanned the flames of the trade war by threatening China with 100 percent tariffs over its imposition of export controls, only to insist, on Monday, that all was well with the bilateral trade relationship.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flames
Noun
-
And just like today, companies that didn’t yet turn a profit were some of the darlings of Wall Street.—
Christine Romans,
NBC news,
15 Oct. 2025
-
According to HockeyStatCards, which combines data from Natural Stat Trick and Dom Luszczyszyn’s Game Score model, Sebrango and Nikolas Matinpalo were far from analytical darlings.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Key Takeaways The number of calories a person burns during a mile run averages around 100, but there is considerable variation depending on several factors, especially weight.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
8 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, Anderson is laughing at both sides while the world burns.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The volcano is located on the eastern coast of Sicily and erupts almost continuously, according to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 Oct. 2025
-
When Haidt credits mothers for driving the phone-free movement, the crowd, which has reached a standing-room-only capacity, erupts into applause.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The bar—made of white onyx—glows softly from within, inviting you to pull up a stool.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In New York City, Emma Stone glows in green, and Maya Rudolph appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Patches of unintelligibility are nothing new in Pynchon, but usually a coherent world view gleams upward from the murk.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Nothing gleams as beautifully as a white kitchen.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The high school sweethearts were all smiles in the mirror selfie at the Kansas City spot, which the NFL star co-owns with teammate Travis Kelce.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Akl and Hasan Akil (Memory Box) star as childhood sweethearts Yasmina and Nino, who lose sight of one another to reunite in their late 20s, with their relationship developing in step with the tumultuous history of Lebanon.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The record was created with Shellback and Max Martin in between shows on the career-spanning Eras Tour, which lit a fire in the singer-songwriter that blazes across each of its 12 tracks.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Last year, dry fall weather in Southern California played a role in fueling major fires, like the Eaton and Palisades blazes, only weeks before the state’s typical period of atmospheric river storm events.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Morrissey explodes the comparatively respectable conventions of prior Frankenstein adaptations by embracing the deranged erotic and fascist implications of building and breeding new life.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The post also included a video showing aerial footage of a fast-moving boat at sea that suddenly explodes.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flames. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share