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
Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
First, are all the flares on the sun produced as an avalanche?
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Gold hardware decorated Zimmermann’s Spring/Summer 2026 range of true indigo flares, bell-bottoms and jackets with voluminous sleeves.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
In this season of life, lupus doesn’t always announce itself with dramatic flares.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 21 Jan. 2026
Everyone knows lacy camis have always been cute and low-rise flares come and go with the tides; there is no bravery in sourcing these items for your millennial college show.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026
Don't forget to add jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, an ice scraper, a car cell phone charger, a map, and cat litter or sand to enhance tire traction.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2026
If an opposing tight end or running back flares open from the slot or backfield on an in-breaking route, that wouldn’t be that linebacker’s fault.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
Pintuck details elevate this otherwise simple pair of kick-flares.
—Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 15 Jan. 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
Load your car with winter travel gear, including tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush, jumper cables, and road flares.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
First, are all the flares on the sun produced as an avalanche?
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Gold hardware decorated Zimmermann’s Spring/Summer 2026 range of true indigo flares, bell-bottoms and jackets with voluminous sleeves.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
In this season of life, lupus doesn’t always announce itself with dramatic flares.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 21 Jan. 2026
Everyone knows lacy camis have always been cute and low-rise flares come and go with the tides; there is no bravery in sourcing these items for your millennial college show.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026
Don't forget to add jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, an ice scraper, a car cell phone charger, a map, and cat litter or sand to enhance tire traction.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2026
If an opposing tight end or running back flares open from the slot or backfield on an in-breaking route, that wouldn’t be that linebacker’s fault.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
Pintuck details elevate this otherwise simple pair of kick-flares.
—Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 15 Jan. 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 team layered multiple types of hydrogels, including water-rich, conductive materials, in a precise pattern that mimics the ionic processes electric eels use to produce bursts of electricity.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
At Café Pasqual’s, the James Beard Award-winning eatery in the heart of downtown, every dish bursts with the vibrant flavors of organic, farm-to-table ingredients.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to tremors emanating from within the planet, these sensors detect explosions, traffic vibrations and even the vocalizations made by whales in the oceans.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Ultimately, however, the shuttle flew a total of 135 missions with two explosions, resulting in 14 total casualties.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Kind of two orange glows, like someone had lit two tiny matches out in space.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
These jets strike previously ejected gas, creating shockwaves that heat that gas, causing the bright glows demonstrated by HH 80 and HH 81 in this Hubble image.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Your body burns additional calories in the cold from shivering.—
Kaelyn Lynch,
Outside,
23 Jan. 2026
-
According to Amnesty International, Israel used white phosphorus, a highly reactive chemical that burns at extremely high temperatures when exposed to air.—
Josiane Yazbeck,
The Conversation,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Snow flurries were reported in Tampa and Sarasota, and the thermometer dropped to 30 degrees at Miami International Airport on Christmas Day 1989.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
-
For the most part, the flurries will be light and not expected to cause problems, although there is a low chance for light snow accumulations — a tenth or two of an inch — along the Iowa and Missouri border, the weather service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
These comments are not isolated outbursts.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The film shows how Davidson, with the help of friends played by Maxine Peake and Peter Mullan — the latter who is nominated in BAFTA’s Supporting Actor category — learned how to try and control his outbursts.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 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
-
Norovirus outbreaks lead to mass quarantining and can halt all activities, shows, entertainment, and congregating in communal areas.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Applications include spot-spraying of weeds, application of nutrients to specific plant zones, and treating disease outbreaks with minimal chemical usage and zero overspray.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flares. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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