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 The sun’s intense flare-ups had put the telescope on a downward spiral faster than engineers anticipated. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026 The sun's intense flare-ups had put the telescope on a downward spiral faster than engineers anticipated. — Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026 Since the staging area for firefighters, utility workers, national guard, and police was next to our house, for the next few days firefighters were able to put out flare-ups in and around our backyard. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026 Air fresheners, perfumes, cleaning supplies and paint spark allergy flare-ups that can last for 10 days. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026 Crews continue responding to new flare-ups across North Texas, and Turner said the region could remain active through the end of September and into early October. — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare-ups

Noun

The flurries of pigment inside them were dispersed by bursts of air delivered through the base of the box.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Macaday said some higher elevations in California have already seen flurries over the past month and a half.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of flurries

Noun

The shoot involved firing blanks and igniting explosions, theatrics that shocked the film’s residential neighbors and spurred concerns over public safety.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
As the car drives on while dodging a series of explosions, a seemingly endless number of terrorists armed with automatic weapons shoot at it to no avail.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of explosions

Noun

Since the beginning of last year, large outbreaks have been reported in several states, including Texas and Utah, as well as South Carolina, which had been the largest with 997 cases reported.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The conversation explores the impact of political and personal beliefs on public health, particularly in relation to measles outbreaks.

— Leana Wen, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of outbreaks

Noun

There was no notice to staff that swings in blood sugar levels can cause the kind of emotional distress and behavioral outbursts that got Christian in trouble.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Foreigners have also experienced sporadic outbursts of xenophobic violence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of outbursts

Noun

But more appealing to me were the smaller bursts of creativity.

— Tony Perrottet, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Nobody is more confident working with the Kings than Colter, whose swagger and comfort with bursts of goofiness are well-deployed, albeit with less emotional range in the early-going.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of bursts

Noun

In the deep ocean, high water pressure can suppress explosive volcanic activity, making eruptions less destructive.

— Yook Ji Hun, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
The Best Travel Photography of 2023 From the wildebeest migration in Kenya and volcanic eruptions in Iceland to shamanic rituals in Siberia.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of eruptions

Noun

There’s one shot that puts you directly under Winter in medias yowl, as light flares stream from the ceiling and across his face, that will take your breath away.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
In two instances, the jets fired flares to get the pilots' attention and forced them to change course.

— Lauren Victory, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of flares

Noun

In the opening five league games under MacPhee, there have been flashes of the creative attacking routines that distinguished his best work at Villa.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Tampa Bay’s offense has shown flashes, despite the struggles of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who’s now injured and out, so rookie Jalon Daniels will make his first NFL start.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of flashes

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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 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of flare-ups

noun

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