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flare-ups

noun

plural of flare-up
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

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 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 After multiple flare-ups and suggestions of an imminent accord, there do not appear to be any concrete plans to end the 24-week war. — August 17, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare-ups
  1. flurries
  2. explosions
  3. outbreaks
  4. outbursts
  5. bursts
  6. eruptions
  7. flares
  8. flashes
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 resulting detonations will result in explosions, flashes of light and clouds of smoke visible from a distance, the Navy said.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
  • One resident, Iryna Barisenkova, recalled hearing loud explosions while traveling on public transport.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of explosions
Noun
  • Last year, Texas suffered one of the state’s worst measles outbreaks in recent history.
    — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026
  • But cold outbreaks like this one will become more common as the Northern Hemisphere tips into the darker half of the year.
    — Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of outbreaks
Noun
  • There have also been repeated public outbursts from Diomansy Kamara, Sarr’s agent, about Palace’s handling of his client while Sarr himself removed all references to Palace on his social media platforms.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Such criticism formed a fault line that ran from the cultural commentary of the ’20s to the outbursts of Beats, folkies, and academics in the ’50s.
    — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of outbursts
Noun
  • That flexibility makes flow batteries particularly relevant to long-duration storage, where systems may need to deliver electricity for several hours rather than simply provide short bursts of backup power.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Could Civale maybe be used in shorter bursts, meaning he could be used more often?
    — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 11 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
  • The 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport is getting a slew of significant upgrades, including more ride height, more aggressive fender flares, and some cute amber running lights above the grille.
    — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The place is normally crowded with people meeting for pre-match drinks and food while fan groups light flares and sing their songs.
    — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of flares
Noun
  • In the rape scene, the live action is intercut with flashes of staged broken glass against black and the words in Tessa’s own head.
    — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Gigi Hadid opened the runway as an orchestra — who were dressed within the Hilfiger universe in denim trousers, navy blazers and ties, with flashes of red socks — played live.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of flashes

Browse Nearby Words

flare-up
flare-ups
flaring
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Cite this Entry

“Flare-ups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare-ups. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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