1
as in to anger
to become very angry
naturally I flared up when he insulted me
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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)
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
Grills naturally have hot spots, cooler areas, flare-ups, and uneven heat.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
Ultraviolet therapy paired with certain oral medications can reduce skin flare-ups.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 18 May 2026
Indoor air quality concerns spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic and have stayed top of mind through wildfire seasons and allergy flare-ups — making the best hepa air purifier search one of the most common questions home shoppers ask.
—Ryan Brennan
may 18, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare (up)
Noun
The string of flare-ups completely bucked the momentum of the 2025 third-round pick’s rookie season, as Bryant was establishing himself as a near-irreplaceable piece in Denver’s offense.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 May 2026
Grills naturally have hot spots, cooler areas, flare-ups, and uneven heat.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
Ultraviolet therapy paired with certain oral medications can reduce skin flare-ups.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 18 May 2026
Indoor air quality concerns spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic and have stayed top of mind through wildfire seasons and allergy flare-ups — making the best hepa air purifier search one of the most common questions home shoppers ask.
—Ryan Brennan
may 18, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare (up)
Verb
-
Star forward Sardar Azmoun was dropped in March, reportedly because of a social media post that angered Iranian authorities during the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
-
Butler’s refusal to attend the hearing frustrated and angered several of Sheron’s supporters present for the hearing Wednesday.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
With California facing increasingly destructive wildfires, experts and officials have long urged the strategic removal of dense, flammable vegetation that can erupt into particularly destructive flames from a lightning bolt or the spark of a power line.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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So Arsenal wasn't even playing on May 19, when a tie in a match between Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth meant the overall math ensured the Gunners' victory — and North London erupted into a sea of red Arsenal jerseys.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Nine people were injured in a flurry of gunfire in a crowd on Troost Avenue early Saturday morning, Kansas City police said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
-
The Knicks erased a fourteen-point Spurs lead in the third quarter and then surged ahead in the fourth, led once again by the New Yorker cover star Jalen Brunson, who added to his legend with a flurry of clutch jumpers in the final minutes.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The larger and more immediate risk came from the possible explosion.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
The chemical behind the explosion — ammonium nitrate — is not regulated under RMP.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Ukrainian drones now pummel industrial targets across Russia nightly, shutting down oil refineries, snarling logistics, and forcing airports to close for days at a time.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
-
Laurie plays the snarling, villainous Richard Roper in the BBC and Prime Video’s big-budget adaptation of le Carré’s The Night Manager.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
America’s national parks shine in the summertime, with spectacular mountain passes thawed for the season, sparkling lakes and glittering beaches at the peak of their allure, and blankets of wildflowers exploding into bloom.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
However, a primordial black hole born with a mass of just 1 ton would immediately explode, instantly reaching the Planck mass.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Four of the runs scored in a quick burst in the sixth, when Neto made an error just before Rushing’s three-run homer.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
-
While the Rays came alive for three runs during the final two innings, Miami’s early offensive burst built enough of a cushion for Tyler Zuber to earn his first career save.—
Tyler Carmona
June 6,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Tyler Freeman tacked on an RBI single and Goodman capped the outburst with his 14th homer — a three-run drive over the left-field wall.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
The outburst completely erased the five-run deficit and gave KU a 6-5 lead.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flare (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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