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
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Recent Examples of flare (up)
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Since stress can trigger acne flare-ups and hair shedding, supporting the body’s stress balance may help minimize these effects.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
Previous flare-ups have calmed after days of fighting, and mediation by foreign governments including Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
The rapid and often unpredictable cadence of geopolitical flare-ups means that even the strongest friendshoring partnerships will inevitably be tested.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare (up)
Noun
Kilauea is among the world’s most active volcanoes, with sporadic flare-ups since December 2024.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Since stress can trigger acne flare-ups and hair shedding, supporting the body’s stress balance may help minimize these effects.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
Previous flare-ups have calmed after days of fighting, and mediation by foreign governments including Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
The rapid and often unpredictable cadence of geopolitical flare-ups means that even the strongest friendshoring partnerships will inevitably be tested.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare (up)
Verb
-
Or simply anger that any parent would have to suffer the agony of having a missing child.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The first major nationwide protests against the Islamic regime began in June 2009, with demonstrators angered by the fraudulent presidential election.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Arlington Grace Prep Lions erupted for five runs in the bottom of the first inning, cruising to a 9-2 victory over New Braunfels Allegiance in a non-district high school baseball contest Friday at the campus of Colleyville Covenant Christian.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
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The manager of a nearby bodega said the victims were arguing with another teen before the shooting erupted.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Golden State pulled away from there, keeping the pesky Wizards at bay with a flurry of 3-pointers and free throws.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
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In the franchise’s inaugural game on March 14 in San Jose, a flurry of impressive saves kept Denver in it until the final whistle, despite the club playing a woman down for most of the match after Janine Sonis was sent off in the 26th minute.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After an accidental explosion in a West Village bomb factory killed three Weathermen, those who survived, shaken by their friends’ deaths, swore off deadly violence.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
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Journalists heard several explosions from the direction of the Hezbollah stronghold, which Israel has repeatedly struck since war began.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tehran's chokehold on that crucial waterway has snarled international shipping, sent fuel prices skyrocketing, and threatened the world economy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
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The six-week shutdown of Department of Homeland Security funding has snarled air travel, causing significant disruptions at airports across the country.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Oxygen cylinders in the vehicles exploded, breaking windows in an adjacent apartment block.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
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While prestige body care has exploded in recent years, dermatologists say the drugstore aisle still delivers the most effective formulas.—
Hana Hong,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For a burst of contrasting sweetness, toss in some pomegranate seeds along with a drizzle of hot honey and a tuft of fresh mint too.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
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Booker led the Longhorns out of the break with the third-quarter burst that quickly settled the outcome.—
Jim Vertuno,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the most complimentary of ways, the Hornets’ first-half outburst wasn’t all that special at all.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
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Cronin has received his share – more than his share, actually – of negative fan reaction for his frequent outbursts at players.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flare (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare%20%28up%29. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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