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
Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
Firefighters battled the flames for hours.
—Susan Young, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
The plane carrying a pilot and 11 passengers crashed in a field and burst into flames Sunday, killing all on board, authorities said.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
For unknown reasons, the semi-truck erupted in flames and firefighters had to call additional LAFD personnel to the scene to assist with applying additional water.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Images captured overnight showed flames billowing from Kyiv’s Pechersk Lavra, an 11th-century spiritual and cultural center that holds deep significance for many Ukrainians.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
As flames shot into the sky, Keem proceeded to tear the place down all by himself, which was even better than getting an assist from Dot.
—Rob Kenner, VIBE.com, 8 June 2026
No structures were threatened by flames.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026
An executive jet headed to Texas to pick up a former MLB star burst into flames Sunday during a rough landing, killing both pilots.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 8 June 2026
Noun
Aerial footage showed large flames burning near a cul-de-sac of homes as helicopters made water drops and hand crews on the ground worked to create a containment line.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026
Firefighters battled the flames for hours.
—Susan Young, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
The plane carrying a pilot and 11 passengers crashed in a field and burst into flames Sunday, killing all on board, authorities said.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
For unknown reasons, the semi-truck erupted in flames and firefighters had to call additional LAFD personnel to the scene to assist with applying additional water.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Images captured overnight showed flames billowing from Kyiv’s Pechersk Lavra, an 11th-century spiritual and cultural center that holds deep significance for many Ukrainians.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
As flames shot into the sky, Keem proceeded to tear the place down all by himself, which was even better than getting an assist from Dot.
—Rob Kenner, VIBE.com, 8 June 2026
No structures were threatened by flames.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026
An executive jet headed to Texas to pick up a former MLB star burst into flames Sunday during a rough landing, killing both pilots.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flames
Noun
-
Take a peek inside where the revenues for these AI darlings will come from.—
Bhaskar Chakravorti,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
Since its heyday in the early and mid-2000s, the brand quietly made a resurgence, garnering partnerships with music industry darlings like Megan Thee Stallion and Zara Larsson.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra burns following a Russian strike overnight.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
-
At the same time, your body burns fewer calories at rest.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Hovering somewhere between solid and liquid, mozzarella di bufala erupts on the palate with an electric acidity that cuts through its concentrated, velvety curd.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
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 June 2026
Verb
-
His writing glows with his obvious love of plants and animals, not least his faithful dog, Roger.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
10 June 2026
-
Because of the black hole's immense gravitational forces, an AGN glows very brightly.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 June 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
-
Cody and his wife Rebecca, high-school sweethearts, shared their first date at a Waylon Jennings-Jessi Colter concert in Louisville and were married in 1980.—
Stephen L. Betts,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2026
-
The physical therapist and New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson were high school sweethearts, officially tying the knot in 2023.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Fewer, but more ‘devastating’ blazes That the world suffered fewer acres torched by wildfires in 2025 likely comes as little relief to the countries and cities that battled the infernos last year.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
-
Studies have shown that rising temperatures due to climate change are fueling longer wildfire seasons, and making blazes both more frequent and more destructive.—
Kathryn Prociv,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Everything explodes on a summer day in 1980, when Candy strikes Betty 41 times with an axe following a confrontation.—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
4 Dec. 2025
-
Mendonça Filho invites us to get comfortable in his hometown, our host the earthy and empathetic Marcelo, enjoying its rhythms and culture, before the film explodes in chaotic, confusing violence.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flames. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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