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
Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
These faux leather flares from Cinq à Sept look very similar to the cool-girl ones Cyrus wore.
—Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
This revealed that the molecular cloud was acting as a cosmic mirror, reflecting X-rays previously emitted by Sgr A* flares.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
That kind of documentation—tracking symptoms, flares, fatigue and how lupus affects daily life—can help patients move the conversation beyond lab results and toward whether their current care is truly adequate.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2026
An active region on the sun, NOAA 13664, was pinpointed as the source of the flares.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Jan. 2026
For some patients, particularly during severe disease flares, hospitalization may also be necessary to stabilize organ function, manage pain or treat complications such as infections.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Under the new law, drivers must slow down or change lanes when approaching any highway maintenance vehicle or stopped vehicle that has flashing hazard lights or warning devices, such as cones or road flares.
—Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
Paris — Protesters disrupted a performance by the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra in Paris three times Thursday as flares, smoke bombs and physical clashes broke out in the concert hall.
—Philippe Cordier, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 5 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
Ty Johnson flares out of the backfield to keep Granderson in the flat.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Unlike typical wide-leg jeans, this style flares out at the knee and subtly cinches back towards the ankle.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
When arthritis pain flares up, the area around the offending joint becomes inflamed and slightly acidic.
—New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
The other flares upward, suggesting imminent propulsion.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
The hem of the dress flares out and has plenty of pleats, which not only add volume but also hide pesky lines.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
But watch those eyes widen when suddenly there’s a test of guts and his meanness flares again.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
By the 1960s, gas flares and untreated waste spillage were destroying their forests.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
These faux leather flares from Cinq à Sept look very similar to the cool-girl ones Cyrus wore.
—Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
This revealed that the molecular cloud was acting as a cosmic mirror, reflecting X-rays previously emitted by Sgr A* flares.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
That kind of documentation—tracking symptoms, flares, fatigue and how lupus affects daily life—can help patients move the conversation beyond lab results and toward whether their current care is truly adequate.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2026
An active region on the sun, NOAA 13664, was pinpointed as the source of the flares.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Jan. 2026
For some patients, particularly during severe disease flares, hospitalization may also be necessary to stabilize organ function, manage pain or treat complications such as infections.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Under the new law, drivers must slow down or change lanes when approaching any highway maintenance vehicle or stopped vehicle that has flashing hazard lights or warning devices, such as cones or road flares.
—Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
Paris — Protesters disrupted a performance by the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra in Paris three times Thursday as flares, smoke bombs and physical clashes broke out in the concert hall.
—Philippe Cordier, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
The hour-glass heel is slightly tapered toward the center and flares out into a wide, round heel.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 5 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
Ty Johnson flares out of the backfield to keep Granderson in the flat.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Unlike typical wide-leg jeans, this style flares out at the knee and subtly cinches back towards the ankle.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
When arthritis pain flares up, the area around the offending joint becomes inflamed and slightly acidic.
—New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
The other flares upward, suggesting imminent propulsion.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
The hem of the dress flares out and has plenty of pleats, which not only add volume but also hide pesky lines.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
But watch those eyes widen when suddenly there’s a test of guts and his meanness flares again.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flares
Noun
-
After testing the interest of sports fans in short-form content, Disney aims to bring brief bursts to a broader audience.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Operating for thousands of daily cycles over decades trumps quick bursts of power.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The explosions caused secondary fires that torched neighborhoods, according to the suit.—
Tony Saavedra,
Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Test explosions became increasingly rare.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Celebrities including Julianne Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer, Victoria Beckham and Khloé Kardashian have embraced the look, swapping ornaments and tinsel for clean lines and quiet glows.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
15 Dec. 2025
-
When visible, the Northern Lights may appear as pink, purple, green or even red glows that ripple across the sky.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Saito burns about 7,000 calories per day and has lost 13 pounds so far.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Unlike conventional scramjets that rely on kerosene, SPARTAN burns hydrogen, producing zero carbon emissions while enabling reusable, low-maintenance hypersonic flight.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Snow flurries were a hopeful sign in the early-morning hours on Wednesday, covering the road and giving a light, white blanket to the slopes.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
-
In a tunnel of thick black smoke, flurries of glowing red embers raced across the road, out to sea.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As 6-7 went viral, teachers complained that random outbursts by their students were interrupting their lessons.—
Rebekah Willett,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The war was officially declared over in July 2003 but violent outbursts continued.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Unfortunately, things took a dramatic turn at the end of the hour when Drew arrived at the church, drawing intense glares from nearly everyone in attendance.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This has been clearly linked to outbreaks in nursing homes and hospitals.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Severe weather—from a derecho that hit the Northeast in April to a string of tornado outbreaks in the spring and summer—made up 91% of the billion-dollar disasters.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flares.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flares. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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