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
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Russia is facing gas shortages, as refinery after refinery goes up in flames under a growing onslaught from Ukrainian drones.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
That plan burst into flames in Week 2 with Joe Burrow’s Grade 3 turf toe injury, which is expected to shelve him for three months.
—Dave Niinemets, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The sister woke up to flames next to her and rolled out of the bed, officials said.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
The frenetic energy carried on into Saturday night, the climax of the week, the event whence Burning Man gets its name, when the entire city gathers to watch a towering effigy go up in flames.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed for the remainder of the 2025 season due to the flames, according to the National Park Service's website.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Warmed by the fires of partisanship or consumed by the bursting of flames?
—Robert A. Strong, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
The flames came within a half-mile of her home.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
Matthew McConaughey plays a struggling school bus driver worried about his situation at home when he's called in to get 22 elementary students and their teacher (America Ferrera) to safety amid constant flames and hazardous conditions.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Russia is facing gas shortages, as refinery after refinery goes up in flames under a growing onslaught from Ukrainian drones.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
That plan burst into flames in Week 2 with Joe Burrow’s Grade 3 turf toe injury, which is expected to shelve him for three months.
—Dave Niinemets, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The sister woke up to flames next to her and rolled out of the bed, officials said.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
The frenetic energy carried on into Saturday night, the climax of the week, the event whence Burning Man gets its name, when the entire city gathers to watch a towering effigy go up in flames.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed for the remainder of the 2025 season due to the flames, according to the National Park Service's website.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
Warmed by the fires of partisanship or consumed by the bursting of flames?
—Robert A. Strong, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2025
The flames came within a half-mile of her home.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flames
Noun
-
The group included darlings of the far right, the left, moderates and many in between.—
Leah Askarinam,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Software businesses that have been darlings of tech in past years are at risk of falling out of fashion with investors while AI models continue to develop and get better at writing code.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Theirs was a life together cut off in its infancy, but still the flame burns bright.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The spark becomes a blaze, and trust between citizens and the military burns with it.—
Eric Chastain,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When the Browns win a game, any game, the entire city erupts in joy.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Charlie Carrasco always attends Wave home games, cheering, asking if the team is winning, and joining in when the crowd erupts.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Its central glass dome—home to the swimming paradise—glows like a lantern at dusk.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
At the absolute highest energies, the Moon glows with a light all its own, powered by nuclear recoils, and irrespective of any light, or anything at all, emitted by the Sun.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Nothing gleams as beautifully as a white kitchen.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Akl and Hasan Akil (Memory Box) star as childhood sweethearts Yasmina and Nino, who lose sight of one another to reunite in their late 20s, with their relationship developing in step with the tumultuous history of Lebanon.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
2 Sep. 2025
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The high school sweethearts got married in 2014 and welcomed their son, Stefan, in October of that same year.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The northern line of the Patton Meadow Fire blazes over a ridgeline on August 16, 2021, near Lakeview, Oregon.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Not the kind that explodes into shouting matches, but the silent, slow-burning kind.—
Stephan Lendi,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As Kevin, a truly reluctant hero who can’t escape his fundamental goodness, attempts to drive the kids and Mary across town, the Camp Fire explodes.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flames. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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