FLARES Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

flares 1 of 2

noun

plural of flare

as in bursts

a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity a flare in gift card sales around graduation time

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in explosions

a sudden intense expression of strong feeling ended the quarrel with a stunning flare of swearwords

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flares

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of flare

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

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 flares

Noun

The company also reported that the drug met eight secondary endpoints, including improvements in skin pain and flares. — Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026 But those temporary flares of frustration sit within a wider circle of parental care. — Casper Ter Kuile, Vox, 21 Oct. 2026 For days, protesters have hurled rocks, flares, firebombs and fireworks at police who have used batons, water cannons and tear gas in clashes in the city center. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 By making its pockets oversized and bellowed, the designers of the first cargo pants allowed soldiers to tote grenades, flares and other essential gear in their trousers. — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2026 But, the researchers say, artificial intelligence struggles with the messy realities of the cosmos, such as stellar flares and the natural pulsations of stars that can trick the algorithms into false positives. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Protesters hurled rocks, petrol bombs, flares and fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas, water cannon, and baton charges as clashes spread through the city center. — Zana Cimili, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Oct. 2026 Two officers were seated inside a Dodge Charger patrol car when the Tesla, driven by a 22-year-old Sacramento man, passed through a pattern of flares and traffic cones and struck their vehicle, the CHP said. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026 L’Agence showed a wide sweep of jean fits from wide-leg and skinny flares to culottes. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

Verb

The look was elevated by Le Silla’s recognizable stiletto heel shape which flares ever so slightly. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026 The front pleats add a flattering touch to the leg-elongating wide-leg style, which slightly flares from the knee to the ankle. — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026 Why probiotics matters for sensitive and dry skin If your skin flares up easily, probiotics may help quiet the noise. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026 The only 16mm shot of the film is of Billy (Anderson) looking directly at the camera before the film flares out and switches to the Little Death oner. — Matt Minton, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026 As back-to-school season arrives, Molly O’Shea, a pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, told KOAT7 that keeping teens in school matters even when anxiety flares. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026 City officials and public safety leaders say residents cannot legally reserve a public street space with furniture, cones or homemade markers, even as the tradition flares up again around big events like Picklesburgh. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 15 July 2026 The other eight out of nine Israeli workers make their living in shops, farms, and one-person businesses that depend on local customers, the ones who stay home and lose a day's income every time the fighting flares up. — Frayda Leibtag, Time, 13 July 2026 Separately, Ford is also recalling 36,046 Bronco vehicles with model years 2022 to 2026 because the fender flares may be improperly secured and can fall off, creating a hazard for drivers, the NHTSA said. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flares

Noun

But this research suggests that automation can happen in bursts, and those bursts tend to cluster around recessions.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026
On a night this cold, the bursts of flame were almost as welcome as the spectacle, providing a few seconds of actual warmth to fans on the field and in the lower bowl.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of bursts

Noun

First responders, hazmat and safety teams are not approaching the tank because of the risk of more explosions, and will reassess conditions later Wednesday morning, Kapszukiewicz said.

— John Seewer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
North Korea denied responsibility for the explosions and warned of strong retaliation if provoked.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of explosions

Noun

Every nightfall is different — different seasonal colors, angels, weather, celestial glows, grasses and shadows.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
The coating glows when exposed to light, with the intensity changing according to the pressure around it.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of glows

Verb

The report authors also looked at how climate change could play out differently if the world burns more or fewer fossil fuels and puts in place stronger or weaker policies.

— Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Decades later, the fire lit by his first steed, a brown Schwinn Mag Scrambler, still burns bright.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of burns

Noun

The fines could be rescinded if the coaches avoid sideline outbursts for the rest of the season, as the league calls for more civil interactions between coaches, players and officials.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
From harassing Brady over his divorce from Gisele Bündchen on social media to trying to be a rapper and much more, Brown’s post-football life has been one filled with public outbursts and controversial statements and stunts.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of outbursts

Noun

As Nazareth’s pep band rang in the victory, parents offered the Celtics words of comfort, pausing only to cast glares in the direction of administrators.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Astronomers have spotted four dead star white dwarf stars playing a game of cosmic hide-and-seek, all four of which were hiding in the glares of red dwarf companion stars.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of glares

Verb

Creative endeavor, in the space of a few hours, flashes its many faces, arduous and sexy, fleeting and fun.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
This option from Vantamo flashes a bright light and emits a 130-decibel sound from dual speakers whenever the top pin is pulled, alerting passersby of the emergency and scaring off potential assailants.

— Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2026