FLARE-UPS Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

flare-ups

noun

plural of flare-up

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

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

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-ups Fires within the debris pile burned through the end of December 2001 with flare-ups in 2002. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026 Oil prices have been on a rollercoaster this year, oscillating as traders react to flare-ups in fighting and monitor oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 And the price of oil breached the $100 threshold, for the first time in months, as the new flare-ups stoked fresh concern for global energy markets. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026 Dobber also pointed to growing concerns about air pollution and wildfire smoke as factors that can damage the lungs and increase the risk of COPD and disease flare-ups. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026 This means that the duration and severity of acne flare-ups may be shorter and less severe. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2026 Here is what the data shows and how clinicians suggest managing nighttime flare-ups. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026 Black-and-white news footage shows volunteer firefighters swatting flames with tree branches and dousing flare-ups with flower-pot watering cans. — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Crews from across Texas are continuing to work alongside local firefighters to strengthen containment lines and prevent flare-ups. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare-ups

Noun

Chelsea spent long stretches of the first half in survival mode as Arsenal roared onto the front foot after that shock opener, conjuring furious flurries of pressure from open play and set pieces.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Just as real snow flurries often do, this portrayal of that weather lifted my heart.

— Michael Joseph Gross, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of flurries

Noun

The second mystery is the puzzle over how exactly type Ia supernova explosions detonate.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2026
The Keller offense has been a sight to behold so far this season with a pair of 55-point explosions in Week 1 and Week 2.

— Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of explosions

Noun

Even the World Organization for Animal Health, whose guidelines the CFIA follows, is reconsidering how effective culls are in halting bird-flu outbreaks in a world where the next wild duck to land at a farm could trigger another one.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
This is also some good press for the species, which has been rocked by avian influenza outbreaks across North American nesting sites in the past few years.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of outbreaks

Noun

But foreigners have also experienced sporadic outbursts of xenophobic violence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026
If the lighting is controlled, the performances restrained (with room for outbursts, of course), and the score swelling at the right moments, the work will register as important.

— Henry Metz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of outbursts

Noun

Movement research has long shown that even brief bursts increase circulation and prompt the release of dopamine and serotonin, which is the neurochemistry behind why a five-minute walk or stretch break shifts mood.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Even short bursts increase circulation, signal safety to the nervous system and prompt the release of dopamine and serotonin.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of bursts

Noun

Potential hazards include volcanic bombs, heavy ashfall and lava flows if continuous eruptions resume.

— Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
After the northern lights put on a dazzling show over North Dakota, Canada and Iceland earlier this week, the solar eruptions expected to stir up Wednesday night’s sky have been delayed or possibly missed Earth altogether.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of eruptions

Noun

Earlier this week, Denmark accused a Russian warship of firing two emergency flares at a Danish military helicopter over the Baltic Sea.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026
Keeping eczema flares at bay The first step in your journey to clearing up your skin should be to get your eczema under control.

— Ayana Byrd, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of flares

Noun

Lime green piping traced an aubergine silk skirt; flashes of acidic color appeared on necklines and linings.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
They were rewarded by Kardashian’s arrival, clad in a formfitting tan midi dress with lace-up grommet detailing, triggering a storm of flashes and handshakes.

— Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of flashes

Browse Nearby Words

flare-up

flare-ups

flaring

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“Flare-ups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare-ups. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of flare-ups

noun

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