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
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
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Recent Examples of flare
Garrett Downs, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
China’s military assertiveness in the South China Sea includes using water cannons, flares and dangerous blocking maneuvers against Filipino forces.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Once his back settled down, Feltner began throwing bullpen sessions, only to have pain flare up in his shoulder.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare
Noun
The sun sets behind burning gas flares at the Dora (Daura) Oil Refinery Complex in Baghdad on December 22, 2024.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
China’s military assertiveness in the South China Sea includes using water cannons, flares and dangerous blocking maneuvers against Filipino forces.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Tensions flared when Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson accused Canada’s Marc Kennedy of double-touching the stone.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Once his back settled down, Feltner began throwing bullpen sessions, only to have pain flare up in his shoulder.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare
Noun
-
Her voice is intimate and resonant, whether cut up into indistinct background flurries or pushed to the front of the mix.—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
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The idea has spawned a flurry of products which are helping their customers resist the temptation of automatically picking up their phone and scrolling social media during any and every lull in the day.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There has been some speculation that Lagrange’s future could be as a reliever, which would let his electric arsenal play up in bursts.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Consistency triumphs over bursts of brilliance.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Inside, a long mahogany counter glows beneath warm gold walls, where bartenders move with precision through a selection of classics and inventive cocktails built on bold spirits and house infusions.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The charm and glow of Buckaroo outweigh the growing pains.—
David Glickman,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There was a metal cot, a coal-burning stove and a bare light bulb hanging from the ceiling.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Our lovely Skeldale family stands together and suddenly notices the fires burning on other hills all across the countryside.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The next day, standing below the balcony of the Lorraine Motel where the team was staying in Memphis, King yelled down at Jackson in joviality, as if to mitigate the outburst, inviting him to dinner.—
Johanna Neuman,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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Tyra Banks finally responded to her now-viral outburst against America's Next Top Model contestant Tiffany Richardson in a new documentary looking back at the show.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a news conference Friday, a spokesperson for the Pest County Police Headquarters said an explosion in one of the rooms likely caused the fire.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Some parents told the Tribune that pandemic-era growth seems to have set off a snowball effect, fueled by an explosion of online and at-home learning resources.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Over the decades the classic ski look has been complimented by Norwegian sweaters, glare-shunning sunglasses and furry boots.—
David G. Allan Feb 15,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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In the fluorescent glare of a rundown Indonesian wig factory, vats of human hair simmer in huge cauldrons, stirred by hunched laborers as rows of mannequin heads watch blankly from the dark.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Investigators later realized the flaming vehicle was registered to Lovely's ex, according to the complaint.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Accompanied by ringing bells, ethereal music and chanting hymns, the priests gracefully moved their arms in unison, holding up various flaming brass lamps during the 45-minute serene and powerful ritual.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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