flare 1 of 2

noun

ˈfler How to pronounce flare (audio)
Definition of flarenext
1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity a flare in gift card sales around graduation time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in burst
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling ended the quarrel with a stunning flare of swearwords

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flare
Noun
Two prominent sunspot regions, AR4549 and AR4545, are currently facing Earth and have shown increasing flare activity. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Dialects are as thick as old paint; symbols go up like flares. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
The fireball flared repeatedly during its descent through Earth's atmosphere, which was captured in a livestream from the town of Dragoon, Arizona operated by the trainspotting website SouthWest RailCams and shared by X user rbmichae80. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026 That has stoked concerns the Iran conflict could flare up again, sending crude oil prices up sharply Thursday. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare
  1. flurry
  2. burst
  3. glow
  4. burn
  5. outburst
  6. explosion
  7. glare
  8. flame
Noun
  • The turns came in a flurry as each of Green, Levine, and Clarkson had two spots to fill, and Latifah had one to give.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This bold flurry is a stark contrast with Democratic leaders, who would like to start really shaping their agenda … after the midterm elections.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • Most importantly, there was a burst of chocolate flavor in every bite.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But this record-setting FRB still significantly pushes back the baseline for when these bursts can occur in cosmic history.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • Parents can put glow sticks, glow necklaces or reflective tape on their children’s costumes for better visibility.
    — Lina Ruiz October 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
  • While the colorful glow of these two nebulae pull the eye toward the center of this photograph, they are surrounded by a majestic night sky landscape.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • The house took eight years to build on the property where the couple’s previous home burned during the 2018 Woolsey fire, along with Albuquerque’s studio, archive and many of her paintings.
    — Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The wall's stonework showed signs of fire damage, while archaeologists also uncovered burned seeds and the remains of a charred wooden building nearby.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of burn
Noun
  • One such outburst took place in 1933, when observers in Europe watched an astonishing 500 shooting stars streak across the sky each minute.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Michael Douglas was subject to violent and angry outbursts as well.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • More recently, the Kremlin has expressed hope that those who orchestrated the explosions will be held accountable.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The trailer also featured glimpses of steamy makeouts, ATV chases down the beach, fiery explosions, and good ol’ bar fights.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Winter is still so young—24—and caught in the glare of a very bright followspot.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Harvard University faced the glare of lawsuits and investigations over allegations of antisemitism on campus.
    — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of glare
Verb
  • The flaming tower is part of a component most often known in Russian by the acronym ELOU-AVT, shorthand for an Electric Desalting and Atmospheric-Vacuum Distillation Unit.
    — Jarrett Ley, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
  • When SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket exploded over the Caribbean last year, the internet lit up with videos from airline passengers, island tourists and locals showing flaming debris shooting across the sky.
    — Heather Vogell, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of flame

Phrases Containing flare

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flare
flared
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Cite this Entry

“Flare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flare

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