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
Patricia S York, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
However, the report noted that the MQ-9B drone—capable of flying over 30 hours for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions—is not designed to be equipped with signal flares or missiles, which may be used during airspace intrusion response.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Beginning in the 1980s, solar activity started decreasing overall, with each subsequent 11-year sunspot cycle seeing fewer sunspots, fewer flares and fewer coronal mass ejections.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Around them, disco lights spill out from beneath a motorhome, piercing the haze from flares and exhaust fumes.
—Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
The Railroad Commission approved eight flares within 5 miles of the town during the study period and 280 across surrounding Dimmit County, according to agency data.
—ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
Except for the rare circumstances where the Sun flares, the Sun produces only negligible quantities of gamma-rays.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025
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
Adult ladybugs can release pheromones, or scented chemical flares that attract other ladybugs nearby.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
However, the report noted that the MQ-9B drone—capable of flying over 30 hours for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions—is not designed to be equipped with signal flares or missiles, which may be used during airspace intrusion response.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Beginning in the 1980s, solar activity started decreasing overall, with each subsequent 11-year sunspot cycle seeing fewer sunspots, fewer flares and fewer coronal mass ejections.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Around them, disco lights spill out from beneath a motorhome, piercing the haze from flares and exhaust fumes.
—Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
The Railroad Commission approved eight flares within 5 miles of the town during the study period and 280 across surrounding Dimmit County, according to agency data.
—ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
Except for the rare circumstances where the Sun flares, the Sun produces only negligible quantities of gamma-rays.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
-
His new cutter, which replaced his slider, looks effective enough as a third pitch in short bursts.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
For people with even less time available, short bursts of mindfulness can be incorporated into even the busiest of routines.—
Masha Remskar,
The Conversation,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Kyiv awoke to loud explosions, drones flying overhead and air defenses booming.—
Pavel Polityuk,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
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This finding offers new insights into the life cycles of stars and the science of stellar explosions, challenging previous assumptions about nova recurrence rates and shell formation.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Sep. 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
-
The metric that could give you better workouts What exercise burns the most calories?—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Bicycling typically burns more calories than walking; however, additional factors must be considered to make an accurate comparison.—
Tim Petrie,
Verywell Health,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Thin air and unpredictable wind flurries near Everest’s highest elevations prevent the drones from operating at some of the final camps leading to the summit.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Doja Cat has long a history of online outbursts and sharp words for even her fans.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
-
After a while new outbursts of rage may renew the struggle, but, each time this happens, weeping is interrupted.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 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
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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
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Because these medicines are costly and logistically challenging to deliver, access to them is limited, particularly for patients in sub-Saharan Africa, where most Ebola outbreaks occur.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
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Devastating floods have displaced millions across Pakistan, hitting key agricultural and textile industries and raising fears of cholera outbreaks.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flares. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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