1
as in flurries
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
took medication to prevent a flare-up of her asthma
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explosions
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
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Recent Examples of flare-ups
There were no more real flare-ups — just Detroit (59-22) dominating the Hornets like a big brother dominating a little brother in a game of one-on-one.
—
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2026
Scientists’ best solar models presently struggle to precisely predict flare-ups on our own, most familiar star.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2026
Going gluten-free doesn't always help with IBS 🍞 Some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) find that certain foods with gluten trigger flare-ups.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 6 Apr. 2026
For others with the condition, flare-ups can involve additional symptoms that are extremely painful or even debilitating.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 31 Mar. 2026
AstraZeneca — The pharma giant rose 3% after its experimental drug, tozorakimab, was found to meaningfully reduce flare-ups in cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Firefighters stayed on scene overnight to monitor the burn area for any flare-ups.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
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
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2026
Scientists’ best solar models presently struggle to precisely predict flare-ups on our own, most familiar star.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2026
Going gluten-free doesn't always help with IBS 🍞 Some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) find that certain foods with gluten trigger flare-ups.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 6 Apr. 2026
For others with the condition, flare-ups can involve additional symptoms that are extremely painful or even debilitating.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 31 Mar. 2026
AstraZeneca — The pharma giant rose 3% after its experimental drug, tozorakimab, was found to meaningfully reduce flare-ups in cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Firefighters stayed on scene overnight to monitor the burn area for any flare-ups.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare-ups
Noun
-
As the rain and snow fall, flurries can melt, mix together and refreeze just before hitting the ground, according to Jackson Macfarlane, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Boise office.—
Hali Smith
April 14,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Apr. 2026
-
From one end skates Wisconsin, racking up upsets and scoring in flurries.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In California, with its history of wildfires often caused by arson or negligence, prosecutors have not shied away from filing criminal charges, including murder, against people suspected of starting blazes or explosions, Taylor said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
If such rockets could be launched at sea, then explosions would be less of an issue for neighbouring population centers.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has repeatedly said that Mexico has a security plan in place for the soccer matches, despite continued outbreaks of violence in the country.—
Foreign Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois have been hit the hardest by multiple outbreaks of severe weather over the week.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The rapper, who now goes by Ye, faces a potential ban in the country amid ongoing backlash over his past antisemitic outbursts.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The new secretary takes up his post at a time when traditional diplomacy often takes a back seat to Trump’s off-the cuff comments and social media outbursts.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Upon first spritz, the perfume bursts with caramel, coconut, and vanilla, balanced by fresh citrus to prevent it from becoming saccharine sweet.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2026
-
However, during stronger bursts, the aurora could dip farther south, giving states like Oregon, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire a chance to catch a glow low on the northern horizon, per NOAA forecasts.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The idea underpinning this film is that when two friends get together, there are both literal and figurative eruptions.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Major eruptions of pushback against Meta include the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018, when the unauthorized harvesting of personal data from up to 87 million Facebook users was used for political advertising, adding to criticisms that the site pushes divisive and extreme political content.—
Ryan Cormier,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Because ulcerative colitis is a relapsing–remitting disease, many people go through quiet periods and then experience flares when inflammation ramps up again.—
Mark Marino,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
That came despite flares and emergency lights being activated.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The projection is tricky because the body type is so unusual, but the movement traits and disruptive flashes are worth a long look.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Grant, a 6-foot-3, 335-pound interior defensive lineman who can be athletic at his size, went through some rookie struggles and also some flashes.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flare-ups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare-ups. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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