Synonyms of flare

flare 1 of 2

noun

ˈfler 

1

as in flurry

a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity

a flare in gift card sales around graduation time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flurry
• burst
• outburst
• flutter
• outbreak
• flicker
• surge
• spurt
• flare-up
• flash
• increase
• eruption
• recurrence
• boost
• explosion
• renewal
• flood
• recrudescence
• upturn
• upswing
• pickup
• spree
• rush
• epidemic
• volley
• paroxysm
• binge
• commotion
• deluge
• spate
• jag
• furor
• uproar

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slump
• calm
• doldrums

2

as in burst

a sudden intense expression of strong feeling

ended the quarrel with a stunning flare of swearwords

Synonyms & Similar Words

• burst
• explosion
• outburst
• eruption
• flash
• blaze
• gust
• spasm
• flush
• gale
• fit
• storm
• paroxysm
• flare-up
• agony
• frenzy
• gush
• ebullition
• rage
• tantrum
• transport
• ecstasy
• rapture
• firestorm
• blowup
• delirium
• furor
• grouch

3

as in glow

the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible

in the darkness the flare of a single match might be seen by enemy troops

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glow
• glare
• light
• gleam
• illumination
• glint
• beam
• blaze
• fluorescence
• luminescence
• sunlight
• radiance
• flash
• incandescence
• twinkle
• glimmer
• shine
• ray
• sparkle
• moonlight
• shimmer
• reflection
• scintillation
• glitter
• sunshine
• streak
• aurora
• halo
• daylight
• sheen
• stream
• shaft
• gloss
• polish
• luster
• aureole
• sunbeam
• afterglow
• glisten

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• night
• dark
• darkness
• shadow
• dusk
• blackness
• gloom
• dimness
• duskiness

flare

2 of 2

verb

as in to glow

to shine with a bright harsh light

floodlights flaring into the forbidding empty spaces surrounding the prison

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glow
• burn
• glare
• flame
• flash
• blaze
• gleam
• beam
• sparkle
• beat
• radiate
• glance
• glint
• twinkle
• shimmer
• glitter
• glisten
• glimmer
• blind
• dazzle
• scintillate
• glister
• daze
• bedazzle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flare

Noun

Its skyline is dominated by towering smokestacks, hulking arrays of metal tubes and bright flames erupting from flares at petrochemical plants in the global plastics supply chain. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

But Peters was playing too far toward the middle, and Benge’s opposite-field flare dropped down near the foul line for a single. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

Their outsoles also flare out, giving you stable footing on uneven ground or slippery surfaces. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

The post comes as internal divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel and antisemitism have flared into the open. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing flare

• flare (out)
• flare (up)