1
as in bursts
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
a flare in gift card sales around graduation time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explosions
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
ended the quarrel with a stunning flare of swearwords
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in glows
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible
in the darkness the flare of a single match might be seen by enemy troops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in burns
to shine with a bright harsh light
floodlights flaring into the forbidding empty spaces surrounding the prison
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flares
Annie Blackman, InStyle, 18 Feb. 2026
Since the end of skinny jeans' reign as the dominant denim shape in the early 2020s, loyalists have decried wide legs and flares, avowing to stick to their preferred silhouette regardless of the shifting trends.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
None of this floaty stuff, but getting right in there, with lens flares in the hot sun and lots of flies.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 Feb. 2026
The sun sets behind burning gas flares at the Dora (Daura) Oil Refinery Complex in Baghdad on December 22, 2024.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
China’s military assertiveness in the South China Sea includes using water cannons, flares and dangerous blocking maneuvers against Filipino forces.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Cropped at the waist with a collarless neckline, this style can be worn as a top sans anything underneath or layered over a tank or thin sweater with dark denim flares and ballerina flats completing a runway-worthy look.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Our own sun has flares, but these superflares are thousands or even millions of times more powerful.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Seasonal flares like eczema, hand dermatitis and chapped lips also become more common.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Tara Larson, Footwear News, 27 Dec. 2025
Incredibly, the mounds, which are also known as gas hydrate cold seeps, release methane gas flares some 3,300 meters up into the water—the tallest such flares ever recorded.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 25 Dec. 2025
Unlike typical wide-leg jeans, this style flares out at the knee and subtly cinches back toward the ankle.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
The fender flares, big tire footprint, and rugged stance harken back to the 4Runner’s heritage, but with a sharper modern edge from Toyota’s Calty design studio in California.
—New Atlas, 22 Nov. 2025
One officer reaches into the car to open the driver's door and pull him out, but a ball of flames quickly flares up as smoke billows from the car.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
If your skin flares at even the slightest touch, Avène’s intensive serum could be your new holy grail.
—Lucy Partington, Glamour, 17 Nov. 2025
On November 12, the Last Quarter Moon in Leo flares up the tension between your public self and your private desires.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 9 Nov. 2025
The blade flares into existence, its scarlet glow illuminating the cave, brighter than the lava, brighter than the runes.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
The best of the bunch includes on-trend styles—think cigarette jeans and high-rise flares—along with a pair of Oprah-worn, viral sweatpant jeans.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 18 Feb. 2026
Since the end of skinny jeans' reign as the dominant denim shape in the early 2020s, loyalists have decried wide legs and flares, avowing to stick to their preferred silhouette regardless of the shifting trends.
—Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
None of this floaty stuff, but getting right in there, with lens flares in the hot sun and lots of flies.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 Feb. 2026
The sun sets behind burning gas flares at the Dora (Daura) Oil Refinery Complex in Baghdad on December 22, 2024.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
China’s military assertiveness in the South China Sea includes using water cannons, flares and dangerous blocking maneuvers against Filipino forces.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Cropped at the waist with a collarless neckline, this style can be worn as a top sans anything underneath or layered over a tank or thin sweater with dark denim flares and ballerina flats completing a runway-worthy look.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Our own sun has flares, but these superflares are thousands or even millions of times more powerful.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Seasonal flares like eczema, hand dermatitis and chapped lips also become more common.
—Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
The dress also appeared to have a wider skirt that flares out at the hem, which had a scalloped trim.
—Tara Larson, Footwear News, 27 Dec. 2025
Incredibly, the mounds, which are also known as gas hydrate cold seeps, release methane gas flares some 3,300 meters up into the water—the tallest such flares ever recorded.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 25 Dec. 2025
Unlike typical wide-leg jeans, this style flares out at the knee and subtly cinches back toward the ankle.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
The fender flares, big tire footprint, and rugged stance harken back to the 4Runner’s heritage, but with a sharper modern edge from Toyota’s Calty design studio in California.
—New Atlas, 22 Nov. 2025
One officer reaches into the car to open the driver's door and pull him out, but a ball of flames quickly flares up as smoke billows from the car.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
If your skin flares at even the slightest touch, Avène’s intensive serum could be your new holy grail.
—Lucy Partington, Glamour, 17 Nov. 2025
On November 12, the Last Quarter Moon in Leo flares up the tension between your public self and your private desires.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 9 Nov. 2025
The blade flares into existence, its scarlet glow illuminating the cave, brighter than the lava, brighter than the runes.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flares
Noun
-
The storms that pummeled Southern California this week brought dramatic wind gusts, bursts of rain and lightning that set trees on fire, not to mention heavy snow.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Curlers need an intense training regimen, dedicated to sustaining them through short bursts of cardiovascular exercise (sweeping) and keeping their legs flexible and strong to support the deep lunge position adopted when hurling the stone.—
Julia Frankel,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ukrainian officials said powerful explosions and secondary detonations were recorded at the site, while the extent of damage was still being assessed.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But these explosions do not trigger a nuclear chain reaction.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Inside, a long mahogany counter glows beneath warm gold walls, where bartenders move with precision through a selection of classics and inventive cocktails built on bold spirits and house infusions.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Auroras during minor storms often appear as faint glows or subtle movement before intensifying.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That’s because it’s made by heating limestone to high temperatures, a process that burns a large amount of fossil fuels for energy and releases carbon dioxide from the limestone in the process.—
Alcina Johnson Sudagar,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Stationary biking typically burns more calories in a shorter period of time and is easier on the joints.—
RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some lingering light flurries will taper off through the day, but another system is expected to move through in the evening.—
Aki Nace,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Snow flurries are blowing at an angle, the sky is a leaden grey, and visibility is poor.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Last year, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched an air travel civility campaign, noting that the FAA had seen a 400% increase of in-flight outbursts since 2019 and 13,800 unruly passenger incidents since 2021.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
With 2026 aligning with the roughly 80-year rhythm of past outbursts, however, astronomers have shifted some attention to late June.—
Michael d'Estries,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Since it was released at the end of 2023, the hulking, angular vehicle has been subject to jokes about its appearance and glares from people who disagree with CEO Elon Musk’s politics.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Saab recommends combining overhead lighting with wall sconces and table lamps to lend more flexibility while also avoiding harsh glares.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The robots were able to self-organize and divide tasks on their own, including splitting into teams to tackle separate fire outbreaks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, no additional outbreaks of severe to extreme cold are expected for the rest of the winter, according to AccuWeather long-range experts.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flares. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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