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.
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Recent Examples of flames
Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026
The ships are exploding in flames, sending smoke plumes and human bodies into the air and water.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 May 2026
At least one person was killed when a vehicle went off the I-8 in El Cajon and exploded into flames on Monday.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
On May 21, law enforcement agencies responded to the team’s bus engulfed in flames outside Blue Cross Park, according to Winnipeg Police Service.
—Mitch Picasso, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
The surrounding community was temporarily under a shelter-in-place order as firefighters battled the flames, according to county Supervisor Janice Hahn, who urged people in a post on X to stay indoors with their pets and keep the doors and windows closed.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
The Boston Fire Department shared video that show flames raging through the roof of the home.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 24 May 2026
The first came when rookie Caio Collett suddenly slammed the wall and his car burst into flames, and IndyCar officials decided to throw a red flag to preserve the final laps rather than run out the race under caution.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 24 May 2026
The flames naturally burn off crumbs and debris, making cleanup a breeze.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
Noun
While Bronze's face was painted with a shark and some flames, little Sterling looked sweet with unicorns and rainbows across her cheeks.
—Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026
The ships are exploding in flames, sending smoke plumes and human bodies into the air and water.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 May 2026
At least one person was killed when a vehicle went off the I-8 in El Cajon and exploded into flames on Monday.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
On May 21, law enforcement agencies responded to the team’s bus engulfed in flames outside Blue Cross Park, according to Winnipeg Police Service.
—Mitch Picasso, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
The surrounding community was temporarily under a shelter-in-place order as firefighters battled the flames, according to county Supervisor Janice Hahn, who urged people in a post on X to stay indoors with their pets and keep the doors and windows closed.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
The Boston Fire Department shared video that show flames raging through the roof of the home.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 24 May 2026
The first came when rookie Caio Collett suddenly slammed the wall and his car burst into flames, and IndyCar officials decided to throw a red flag to preserve the final laps rather than run out the race under caution.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 24 May 2026
The flames naturally burn off crumbs and debris, making cleanup a breeze.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flames
Noun
-
What a week indie-disco darlings The Killers have ahead of them.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
-
The energy and bustle of Harvard Square balances top shops—Ray Bans, Gap, Patagonia—with indie darlings like romance bookstore Lovestruck Books and Bob Slate Stationer.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
For a nation like China, which mines and burns vast amounts of the stuff, not using this resource is like leaving money on the table.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
24 May 2026
-
The summit is a barren ash field, gray and treeless, scoured by sulfuric gas and acidic rain that burns whatever tries to grow.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
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,
27 May 2026
-
Every spring and summer, this place erupts in vibrant, fragrant blooms.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The bright light of Alnitak, the easternmost star in Orion's Belt, illuminates the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) to the left of the Horsehead, while Alnilam — the middle star in the hunter's belt — glows blue-white in the upper left.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
28 May 2026
-
The historic lobby glows with warm lighting, inviting guests to linger in what has become Seattle’s communal parlor.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 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
-
Ruby and Kevin were high school sweethearts and shared three children, including a 3-month-old son, per Fox 4 News.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, childhood sweethearts Patrick and Shiv are married with children.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Officials are spreading the word in the wake of deadly fires within the last month that killed five people in Manhattan and the Bronx, blazes that could have been more easily contained if doors were used to help snuff out the flames.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
8 May 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
-
Video shows moment Blue Origin rocket explodes What is the New Glenn rocket?—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, 108 minutes Samara Weaving returns to her breakout role as Grace MacCaullay in a sequel that explodes the concept of the original 2019 thriller — in which Grace is hunted by the family of her fiancé as part of a satanic ritual — to create its own mythology.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flames. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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