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

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

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

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

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

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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“Flare-ups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare-ups. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of flare-ups

noun

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