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
Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 26 Mar. 2026
Forty years on, these flares are still roaring, especially in Delta State.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Videos obtained by the Associated Press show cars and homes set ablaze as army flares lighted up the sky near the village east of Nablus and next to the Israeli settlement of Elon Moreh.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Videos obtained by The Associated Press show cars and homes set ablaze as army flares light up the sky near the village east of Nablus and next to the Israeli settlement of Elon Moreh.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
Load your car with winter travel gear, including tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush, jumper cables, and road flares.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 18 Mar. 2026
These colors were nothing like the dazzling flares of summer or the luminous pastels of late autumn.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The Center for Biological Diversity also asked for more monitoring at the wells’ flares — or smokestacks — but the EPA supported the state’s plan for monitoring those locations.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
The turbo flares had simply been welded on top.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026
Erica Zazo, Outside, 27 Mar. 2026
With less than seven weeks left in the regular season, runways can shorten quickly if an injury flares up again.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
The swishy Zesica Sleeveless Maxi Dress checks all my boxes, as the asymmetrical top is designed to sit lower on one side, and slightly flares out into a flowy pleated skirt that twirls nicely and allows for a full range of movement.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
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
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
Noun
Jeep also reshaped the wheel arches for better clearance—a nice touch—with carbon flares.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 26 Mar. 2026
Forty years on, these flares are still roaring, especially in Delta State.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
Videos obtained by the Associated Press show cars and homes set ablaze as army flares lighted up the sky near the village east of Nablus and next to the Israeli settlement of Elon Moreh.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Videos obtained by The Associated Press show cars and homes set ablaze as army flares light up the sky near the village east of Nablus and next to the Israeli settlement of Elon Moreh.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
Load your car with winter travel gear, including tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush, jumper cables, and road flares.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 18 Mar. 2026
These colors were nothing like the dazzling flares of summer or the luminous pastels of late autumn.
—New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
The Center for Biological Diversity also asked for more monitoring at the wells’ flares — or smokestacks — but the EPA supported the state’s plan for monitoring those locations.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
The turbo flares had simply been welded on top.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
The rear light flares bright when braking to add visibility for trailing riders and drivers.
—Erica Zazo, Outside, 27 Mar. 2026
With less than seven weeks left in the regular season, runways can shorten quickly if an injury flares up again.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
The swishy Zesica Sleeveless Maxi Dress checks all my boxes, as the asymmetrical top is designed to sit lower on one side, and slightly flares out into a flowy pleated skirt that twirls nicely and allows for a full range of movement.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flares
Noun
-
Sperm whales communicate via bursts of clicks, called codas, and the researchers—part of a project called the Cetacean Translation Initiative, or CETI—are hoping one day to decipher what the codas mean.—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2026
-
And Falkous, for all that his bursts of mad atonality hit the ear first, knows precisely where to hammer in every syllable for the maximum impact.—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In Israel, loud explosions filled the air in Tel Aviv and emergency crews responded to nearly a dozen impact sites.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
According to the Iranian media, one witness reported hearing multiple explosions near Mashhad Airport shortly after 7 pm, local time.—
Moriah Thomas,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These glows lasted up to three seconds, often moving from leaf to leaf.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
25 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
For instance, walking at a brisk pace generally increases total energy expenditure and burns more calories per minute.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Chewing on the bulbs can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, profuse drooling and burns to the mouth.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Light snow flurries were falling.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Neither that, nor Monday’s snow flurries, stopped Jennifer Hall and her family from making their own Magic City hoodies and proudly wearing them to the game at State Farm Arena.—
DeAsia Paige,
AJC.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Cronin has received his share – more than his share, actually – of negative fan reaction for his frequent outbursts at players.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Still, wanting to be a team player, Anthony is warm, friendly, and offers an encouraging word to the future CEO — despite Dougie’s obvious nerves and his random outbursts in Jamaican Patois.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
19 Mar. 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
-
There are preventable measles outbreaks in the US.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In contrast, egg prices have dropped sharply following a period of unprecedented highs caused largely by bird flu outbreaks.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flares. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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