flames 1 of 2

noun

plural of flame
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

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flames

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of flame
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

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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
Noun
Video recorded at the scene shows flames visible through a window on the upper floor, with crews responding and climbing a ladder up to that location. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 July 2026 Videos of the response show crews dousing the building with water as flames leap through the roof of the market, sending black plumes of smoke into the air. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 Note the flames used as decorative touches in the bedrooms, or the Formula 1 racing suit and helmet hanging in the primary suite. — Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026 Enjoy schmoozing and socializing with others, especially old flames and people from your past. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 14 July 2026 The fire started on the second floor of the building in a main shopping area, and the flames spread into a lift shaft, said Brecht Speybrouck, a spokesman for the Labor Audit Office. — ABC News, 14 July 2026 At Universal Studios’ CityWalk, the original from the film — last seen on screen in flames as Troy was brutally sacked by Damon’s army of rampaging Greeks — is on display outside the AMC Universal Cinema. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 July 2026 Firefighters were forced to suspend their air attack on the flames Sunday after a low-flying drone was spotted flying in the vicinity of the fire, said Sierra County Sheriff’s Office, in a statement. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026 The autonomous vehicle then passes over the colorful flames and sparks. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flames
  1. darlings
  2. burns
  3. erupts
  4. glows
  5. gleams
  6. sweethearts
  7. blazes
  8. explodes
Noun
  • Fellow Hawkins alums Joe Keery (who releases music under the moniker Djo) and Maya Hawke are indie darlings in their own right, and Wolfhard has previously referred to Keery as a mentor.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • On their debut album, the Detroit musician skewers social-climbing scene darlings and tackles personal existential delusions over a frenetic blend of post-punk and electro-pop.
    — Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026
Definition of darlings
Verb
  • The vehicle's first stage burns kerosene and liquid oxygen (LOX) propellants, whereas the second stage uses LOX and liquid methane.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 July 2026
  • But that is labor intensive, and when a fire burns thousands of acres, the time and cost involved can be too high.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of burns
Verb
  • Gold is a safe-haven asset that investors gravitate toward when economic and political turmoil erupts, sending waves through the markets.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 10 July 2026
  • Even once in a while, from under the ocean floor, hot magma erupts through the gaps and then cools down to form new planetary crust.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
Definition of erupts
Verb
  • Transamerica Pyramid looks almost close enough to touch; Coit Tower glows faintly in the distance.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026
  • The whole enterprise glows with friendly, pleasing daffiness.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
Definition of glows
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
Definition of gleams
Noun
  • Harry and Katie are childhood sweethearts Harry and Katie have known each other since childhood.
    — Aya Al-Hakim, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
  • Michael Cincinati and Amanda Price were high school sweethearts.
    — Sydney Page, Washington Post, 24 June 2026
Definition of sweethearts
Verb
  • As such, the trio hired Fede Alvarez to direct 2013’s Evil Dead, Lee Cronin to helm Evil Dead Rise in 2023 and Sébastien Vaniček to direct Evil Dead Burn, which blazes its way into theaters this weekend.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • While prosecution witnesses have refused to delineate between the Lachman and Palisades blazes, Haney has repeatedly described them as two distinct incidents that ignited days apart.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of blazes
Verb
  • Instead, as Laura bugs her sister long enough about just forgiving her already, Mary explodes.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
  • New Glenn explodes on launch pad in Florida The news comes about a month after the New Glenn rocket exploded in Florida, dealing severe damage to the surrounding infrastructure in Cape Canaveral.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of explodes

Phrases Containing flames

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flamers
flames
flames out
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Cite this Entry

“Flames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flames. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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