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
Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Now, audiences are more connected than ever, and algorithmic feeds on apps like TikTok allow for widespread discourse on concentrated topics, continuously pouring gas on the flames of online drama.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Guests are welcomed into a lavvu (traditional tent) to cook over open flames, meet reindeer, and listen to joik—ancestral singing passed down through generations.
—Lea Lane, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Zilisch got the Trackhouse Racing car into the garage with some flames coming out from under the right tire, which was stuck and nearly sideway.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
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
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 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
Noun
Firefighters said that the flames were burning uphill towards a neighborhood of homes through light brush.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Now, audiences are more connected than ever, and algorithmic feeds on apps like TikTok allow for widespread discourse on concentrated topics, continuously pouring gas on the flames of online drama.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Guests are welcomed into a lavvu (traditional tent) to cook over open flames, meet reindeer, and listen to joik—ancestral singing passed down through generations.
—Lea Lane, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Zilisch got the Trackhouse Racing car into the garage with some flames coming out from under the right tire, which was stuck and nearly sideway.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
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
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 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
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
-
Drafty rooms, open windows, ceiling fans, and uneven surfaces can disrupt the flame, causing uneven melting, excessive soot, or wax that burns faster on one side than the other.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
-
No amount of venture capital spin can alter the basic math of a business model that burns billions to eliminate its own revenue stream.—
Sunil Sharan,
Fortune,
27 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
-
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
-
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 2 Jun. 2026.
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