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
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Since scientific interest in exoplanets is on the rise, Blue Skies Space decided to cover the increasing demand for observations of stellar flares with a small, low-cost telescope and sell the resulting data to scientists worldwide through a yearly subscription model.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025
This look was vaguely inspired by Lainey Wilson's 2023 CMA outfit, a black Carolina Herrera strapless jumpsuit with dramatic bell-bottom flares.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 9 Oct. 2025
The post, which appeared on the party’s official social media accounts, depicted a chaotic protest scene—with riot police and demonstrators holding flares.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Because stress can worsen flares, stress management and psychological support can play an important supportive role as well.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Growing up to 6 feet in height and width, this tree peony produces semi-double dark red or maroon blooms with dark flares.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
The jeans have a mid-rise waistline, a tight yet supportive fit around the midsection, and subtle bell-bottom flares that add a touch of retro charm to any fall ensemble.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
The landscape around him was parched and coated in a layer of pale-green mesquite, the vast horizon punctuated by oil pumps, processing tanks, and natural-gas flares.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Unlike typical wide-leg jeans, this style flares out at the knee and subtly cinches back towards the ankle.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
When arthritis pain flares up, the area around the offending joint becomes inflamed and slightly acidic.
—New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
The other flares upward, suggesting imminent propulsion.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
The hem of the dress flares out and has plenty of pleats, which not only add volume but also hide pesky lines.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
But watch those eyes widen when suddenly there’s a test of guts and his meanness flares again.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Of course, there’s always a risk that inflation flares up again, or that inflation doesn’t quite hit the FOMC’s 2% target.
—Simon Moore, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
The flattering design includes an A-line skirt that flares at the bottom.
—Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024
Noun
Gold hardware and an abundance of pockets decorated Zimmermann’s range of true indigo flares, bell-bottoms and jackets with voluminous sleeves.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Since scientific interest in exoplanets is on the rise, Blue Skies Space decided to cover the increasing demand for observations of stellar flares with a small, low-cost telescope and sell the resulting data to scientists worldwide through a yearly subscription model.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025
This look was vaguely inspired by Lainey Wilson's 2023 CMA outfit, a black Carolina Herrera strapless jumpsuit with dramatic bell-bottom flares.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 9 Oct. 2025
The post, which appeared on the party’s official social media accounts, depicted a chaotic protest scene—with riot police and demonstrators holding flares.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Because stress can worsen flares, stress management and psychological support can play an important supportive role as well.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Growing up to 6 feet in height and width, this tree peony produces semi-double dark red or maroon blooms with dark flares.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
The jeans have a mid-rise waistline, a tight yet supportive fit around the midsection, and subtle bell-bottom flares that add a touch of retro charm to any fall ensemble.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
The landscape around him was parched and coated in a layer of pale-green mesquite, the vast horizon punctuated by oil pumps, processing tanks, and natural-gas flares.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
Ty Johnson flares out of the backfield to keep Granderson in the flat.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Unlike typical wide-leg jeans, this style flares out at the knee and subtly cinches back towards the ankle.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
When arthritis pain flares up, the area around the offending joint becomes inflamed and slightly acidic.
—New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
The other flares upward, suggesting imminent propulsion.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
The hem of the dress flares out and has plenty of pleats, which not only add volume but also hide pesky lines.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
But watch those eyes widen when suddenly there’s a test of guts and his meanness flares again.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Of course, there’s always a risk that inflation flares up again, or that inflation doesn’t quite hit the FOMC’s 2% target.
—Simon Moore, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
The flattering design includes an A-line skirt that flares at the bottom.
—Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flares
Noun
-
But that does not stop him from making an impact in smaller bursts.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Bassitt, Schneider said, is stretched out enough to pitch in short bursts or log four to five innings.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Although the company has made major strides since Starship debuted in 2023, a spate of four failures marred its progress this year, including two explosions that rained debris over parts of the Caribbean.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The project has endured failures, explosions, and redesigns, but has also demonstrated a pace of progress unmatched in the aerospace industry.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Athens, Greece Athens glows beneath Mediterranean light, where marble ruins rise from its timeworn hillsides—from the world-famous Parthenon to the Temple of Hephaestus.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Some days my skin glows, and on others stress, and life’s ebbs and flows, bring breakouts, sun spots, dryness, and uneven texture.—
Micaela English,
Flow Space,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Key Takeaways The number of calories a person burns during a mile run averages around 100, but there is considerable variation depending on several factors, especially weight.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
8 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, Anderson is laughing at both sides while the world burns.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Light flurries may arrive unexpectedly during the week of Thanksgiving, but as of right now, things look pretty calm.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Ali was scoring plenty with jabs and flurries, but his attempts to land big punches mostly fell flat.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As Sonia, the scene-stealing Shana Wride dominates almost every scene, first with comic outbursts and later with heartbreaking vulnerability.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Droplet outbursts from onion cutting.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Unfortunately, things took a dramatic turn at the end of the hour when Drew arrived at the church, drawing intense glares from nearly everyone in attendance.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Based on Alice Oseman's popular webcomic turned graphic novels, Heartstopper is loaded with longing glares, timid greetings, delicate touches, and all the definitive hallmarks of young love as two classmates fall for each other at Truham Grammar School for Boys.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The transmission detected in a Nassau County resident comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned Americans to be on high alert for the virus following outbreaks in Cuba and China this year.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Epidemiologists study flu activity in the Southern Hemisphere, which has opposite seasons than the United States, to predict what could lie ahead with seasonal virus outbreaks in the United States, Blocher-Smith said.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flares. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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