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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport is getting a slew of significant upgrades, including more ride height, more aggressive fender flares, and some cute amber running lights above the grille. — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 9 Sep. 2026 The place is normally crowded with people meeting for pre-match drinks and food while fan groups light flares and sing their songs. — Pol Ballús, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Closed-circuit camera video showed lava flares from the volcano. — Tatan Syuflana, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Disappointment over a relationship rift flares as the moon and Saturn clash. — Usa Today, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026 Closed-circuit camera footage showed lava flares from the volcano. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 Antimony strengthens ammunition and armor and supports military technologies, including night-vision systems and flares. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026 Levi’s 726 High-Rise Flare Jeans The flares on these Levi’s jeans start lower on the leg for a cleaner, lengthening line. — Michelle Rostamian, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026 Its skyline is dominated by towering smokestacks, hulking arrays of metal tubes and bright flames erupting from flares at petrochemical plants in the global plastics supply chain. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Amore Mules combine a barely there backless silhouette with a cool geometric heel that flares toward the bottom and gives them an architectural edge. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 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

And the 27-inch display bursts with gorgeous contrast and colors.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Inside, you’re greeted with fireworks; more than 30,000 crystals hang from a chandelier, forming a dozen bursts of light.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of bursts

Noun

The resulting detonations will result in explosions, flashes of light and clouds of smoke visible from a distance, the Navy said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
One resident, Iryna Barisenkova, recalled hearing loud explosions while traveling on public transport.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of explosions

Verb

The rivalry burns as strong as ever, but so does the mutual respect, which survives the collisions, politics and long silences.

— Daniel Gallan, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
There’s a mysterious sickness going around, apparently caused by a toxic fog that invisibly burns the skin of whoever comes into contact with it.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of burns

Noun

Chelsea spent long stretches of the first half in survival mode as Arsenal roared onto the front foot after that shock opener, conjuring furious flurries of pressure from open play and set pieces.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Just as real snow flurries often do, this portrayal of that weather lifted my heart.

— Michael Joseph Gross, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of flurries

Noun

There have also been repeated public outbursts from Diomansy Kamara, Sarr’s agent, about Palace’s handling of his client while Sarr himself removed all references to Palace on his social media platforms.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Such criticism formed a fault line that ran from the cultural commentary of the ’20s to the outbursts of Beats, folkies, and academics in the ’50s.

— Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of outbursts

Noun

Any glares or slight changes in the atmosphere created by the solar panels could become catastrophic, resident Sam Rolph said.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 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

Walker flashes rare ability for a player his size and within Leonhard’s scheme.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
As Robert Spillane works through a quiet camp, fellow inside linebacker Christian Elliss flashes again and again, this time in coverage during 7-on-7s with a pass breakup.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026