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
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2026
The emotional and psychological toll of HS is well documented, driven by chronic pain, unpredictable flares and the stigma associated with visible symptoms.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
Our Milky Way was recently active, with Sagittarius A* still emitting occasional flares.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
The supporters were urged not to storm the field and hundreds of stewards lined up to ensure there were no injuries, but the fans seemed to be content to celebrate in the stands with flares, beer and songs.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
An adjustable tie waistband allows for a comfortable fit while the fabric hugs the curves of your hips and flares at mid-calf for a fun, spring-ready finish.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
The bursts of radiation from the flares triggered strong radio blackouts on the sunlit side of Earth — the first affecting parts of the Pacific Ocean and Australia and the second impacting East Asia.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Each level marks roughly a tenfold jump in energy output, placing X-class flares at the top of the scale.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
In the evening, the whole place twinkles from the lights of a hundred lanterns and flares, which also serve to keep away mosquitoes.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 4 May 2026
At the same time, flares themselves are stressful, creating a vicious cycle in which symptoms and emotional distress feed into each other.
—Mark Marino, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Within any chimp group, violence flares occasionally — but it is usually dampened by long friendships.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
But then, in April 2019, his illness flares.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
There’s a funny reason why the pain flares in your upper face and forehead, a bit of a distance from the area responsible for the cold.
—Julia Daye, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2026
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 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
Noun
The lighting was transparent and natural, the lens flares were appropriate and beautiful.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2026
The emotional and psychological toll of HS is well documented, driven by chronic pain, unpredictable flares and the stigma associated with visible symptoms.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 May 2026
Our Milky Way was recently active, with Sagittarius A* still emitting occasional flares.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
The supporters were urged not to storm the field and hundreds of stewards lined up to ensure there were no injuries, but the fans seemed to be content to celebrate in the stands with flares, beer and songs.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
An adjustable tie waistband allows for a comfortable fit while the fabric hugs the curves of your hips and flares at mid-calf for a fun, spring-ready finish.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
The bursts of radiation from the flares triggered strong radio blackouts on the sunlit side of Earth — the first affecting parts of the Pacific Ocean and Australia and the second impacting East Asia.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Each level marks roughly a tenfold jump in energy output, placing X-class flares at the top of the scale.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
In the evening, the whole place twinkles from the lights of a hundred lanterns and flares, which also serve to keep away mosquitoes.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
The sleeveless design features a flattering smocked waist that flares out into a relaxed, flowy skirt, creating an elegant silhouette.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 4 May 2026
At the same time, flares themselves are stressful, creating a vicious cycle in which symptoms and emotional distress feed into each other.
—Mark Marino, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Within any chimp group, violence flares occasionally — but it is usually dampened by long friendships.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
But then, in April 2019, his illness flares.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
There’s a funny reason why the pain flares in your upper face and forehead, a bit of a distance from the area responsible for the cold.
—Julia Daye, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2026
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flares
Noun
-
Scientists at Stanford found that biological aging accelerates in two distinct bursts, once around age 44 and again around 60, making the 30s and 40s a critical window for intervention.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 May 2026
-
In fact, when experienced in short bursts, stress can be beneficial by increasing focus, improving performance and preparing the body to handle challenges.—
Danielle Wilhour,
The Conversation,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
Use of inert bombs – or bombs with a small yield – could explain the lack of a large explosions or secondary blasts that an explosive warhead could cause, analysts said.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
The first of these explosions was spotted in 2018, and only 14 have been detected since, leading to a solid mystery for astronomers.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Come evening, the pizza oven glows or a local farm-to-table chef cooks as the light fades.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The blue-white light of the star Spica will be visible twinkling to the upper right of the lunar disk in the constellation Virgo, while the red supergiant Arcturus glows to its upper left in Bootes.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The sun burns outside the window.—
Erin Entrada Kelly,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
Now, Kiffin just took the can of gasoline and threw it right into the fire that still burns stemming from his departure for Baton Rouge.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The latest flurries that dusted parts of the Sierra Nevada this week are unlikely to do much to ease California’s snow drought.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
As the rain and snow fall, flurries can melt, mix together and refreeze just before hitting the ground, according to Jackson Macfarlane, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Boise office.—
Hali Smith
April 14,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At 11 years old, after a series of violent outbursts, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
-
As a high-functioning alcoholic whose outbursts manifest as a kaiju on the other side of the world, Hathaway delivers one of her most limber performances in the darkly comic Colossal.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 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
-
The hotel industry, for instance, is not required to report similar outbreaks.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 May 2026
-
Unlike most forms of hantavirus, which spread from rodents to humans, Andes is the only strain that is able to transmit from person to person, heightening fears about how outbreaks could unfold under the right conditions.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flares. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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