1
as in to anger
to become very angry
naturally I flared up when he insulted me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
took medication to prevent a flare-up of her asthma
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
there's no need for an angry flare-up, as we'll take care of the problem immediately
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 (up)
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Authorities in the southwestern province are battling one of the deadliest flare-ups in years, as insurgents in the resource-rich province bordering Iran and Afghanistan step up assaults on security forces, civilians and infrastructure.
—Reuters, NBC news, 1 Feb. 2026
Yet the relationship is still fraught with tension regarding longstanding territorial dispute; the most recent flare-up happened after an Indian citizen born in Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as its territory, was detained in Shanghai’s airport for 18 hours.
—Brian Wong, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Days are pockmarked with flare-ups and altercations between federal agents and residents.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare (up)
Noun
This can create a sudden flare-up, increasing the risk of fire.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Authorities in the southwestern province are battling one of the deadliest flare-ups in years, as insurgents in the resource-rich province bordering Iran and Afghanistan step up assaults on security forces, civilians and infrastructure.
—Reuters, NBC news, 1 Feb. 2026
Yet the relationship is still fraught with tension regarding longstanding territorial dispute; the most recent flare-up happened after an Indian citizen born in Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as its territory, was detained in Shanghai’s airport for 18 hours.
—Brian Wong, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Days are pockmarked with flare-ups and altercations between federal agents and residents.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare (up)
Verb
-
However, Albanese’s decision to invite Herzog – the head of state of a country accused of genocide in Gaza, a claim Israel’s government denies – has angered many Australians and even led to calls for the visitor’s arrest.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
-
What’s more, all that accomplishes is annoying and angering the driver who is being tailgated.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But when the Hanceville scandal erupted, things turned bleaker still.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Frustration erupted almost immediately.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Fallon and Frances shared photos of themselves enjoying the flurries, including a selfie of the father-daughter pair all bundled up while snow fell around them.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Grizzlies star Ja Morant were not traded, but some of the league’s biggest stars changed teams amid a flurry of activity in the days leading up to the deadline.—
HECTOR AMEZCUA,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the initial aftermath of the explosion, a lower number of casualties was released, but Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon gave the latest tolls.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
-
At least 12 people have been killed after an explosion at a Shiite Muslim mosque in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad on Friday, Punjab Police told CNN.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The scale of this year’s snowfall temporarily closed Hokkaido’s main airport last week, stranding hundreds of passengers, while snarling other travel, delaying train services and forcing the closure of some highways.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
4 Feb. 2026
-
But a computer outage that snarled airlines nationwide forced Kerkering to change his flight back to Philadelphia.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The benign case is that China is doing small-scale testing to ensure its weapons won't explode accidentally.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Butler started WeSchool more recently, when interest in at-home learning exploded during the pandemic.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The beloved Lip Sleeping Mask is a treat for lips thanks to a burst of coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru seed butter that deliver serious moisture overnight.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
There will be a burst in there at some point.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For his courtroom outbursts, Davis found Thompson in contempt of court and added a little more than four and a half years to his sentence.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Chicago answered, with Collin Sexton matching the 12-point outburst and getting enough help from Anfernee Simons and Jaden Ivey to grab a slim 31-27 edge.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flare (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare%20%28up%29. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
