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
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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
-
Despite Algeria becoming the local darlings of Lawrence, KC Live!—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
New Zealand filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou — twins better known by their nom de YouTube RackkaRackka, where their violent, nutso videos were embraced by millions of viewers — became indie darlings thanks to their 2022 hit for A24, Talk to Me.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 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,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The crowd erupts, and Messi will get his curtain call.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 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,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The speakeasy-style room glows with a gold-leaf ceiling, ochre velvet sofas, and an extravagant cocktail menu.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
His writing glows with his obvious love of plants and animals, not least his faithful dog, Roger.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
10 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
-
The couple, who are both from Kentucky, are high school sweethearts and have been together since 2016.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
After first crossing paths in secondary school, Eve’s parents, Ali and Bono, became high school sweethearts.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
That’s the two-seamer that kind of blazes a trail in.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Most newcomers fade out or establish only a small population, but every so often a species explodes on the scene and becomes problematic.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
9 June 2026
-
The roof of the central nave explodes with color, its gables decorated in vibrant ceramics.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flames. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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