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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

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
The video includes a few shots of Spidey taking a foldable phone off a 3D printer and opening it book-style, but each shot is heavily obscured by lens flares. — Stevie Bonifield, The Verge, 15 July 2026 Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent autonomous driving companies a letter saying some cars have been driving through emergency scenes, ignoring flares and traffic cones and obstructing ambulances. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Verb
There are, however, limits to the impact of particular policy positions—who knows what firestorm will flare up during the next campaign? — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 16 July 2026 City officials and public safety leaders say residents cannot legally reserve a public street space with furniture, cones or homemade markers, even as the tradition flares up again around big events like Picklesburgh. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 15 July 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 agency’s swift judgement on the incidents prompted calls for impartial investigations from local officials and a flurry of protests.
    — Annette Choi, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • In the meantime, Silver anticipates that a flurry of one-and-done provisional arrangements will be hammered out before the new campaign tips off in October.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • Caviar is one of life’s great pleasures, delicate orbs full of rich bursts of salty, umami deliciousness.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
  • The latest burst of activity is tied to a twentieth anniversary edition of Kiss of Death, which arrived earlier this month.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • My ideal formula combines humectants that draw in moisture, emollients that smooth the skin, and just enough light-reflecting ingredients to leave behind a healthy glow.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Perhaps overlooked at the time, though — in the glow of Yzerman’s return — is that a general manager’s influence is strongest earlier in the draft.
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • The video shows buildings burning near the Behbahan Northwest Airport in the central Khuzestan province.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Indigenous filmmakers and screen storytellers often feel pressure to burn sage and show feathers, Riedel says.
    — Jennie Punter, Variety, 21 July 2026
Definition of burn
Noun
  • There have been other outbursts of violence against immigrants.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • William also was not inclined to let himself be bothered by Harry’s outbursts over the past several weeks, the authors said.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 July 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • Air defenses were activated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, according to state media.
    — Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Deep ocean recordings blend with orchestral timpani, distant explosions, vibrations and the recorded buzzing of bees.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • The woman fixed me with her glare, an expression every Apache kid knows.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • In the glare of this reality, electricity demand is growing even as the need for reliability has soared, while grids have been adding larger amounts of less predictable, weather-dependent generation.
    — Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of glare
Verb
  • The walls start moving, flame-throwers start flaming, and suddenly the Marines are on the back foot against a vastly superior enemy.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 July 2026
  • The clip ultimately evolved into a lo-fi vision of the Rapture, complete with giant flaming hands terrorizing the band.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 30 June 2026
Definition of flame

Phrases Containing flare

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flaps
flare
flared
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Cite this Entry

“Flare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flare

Nglish: Translation of flare for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flare

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