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Definition of flashnext
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as in miracle
something extraordinary or surprising the new goalie for our hockey team was apparently quite a flash in his hometown

Synonyms & Similar Words

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flash

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verb

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as in to twinkle
to shine with light at regular intervals the disco lights flashed, and the revelers danced

Synonyms & Similar Words

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flash

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flash contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flash are gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When is it sensible to use gleam instead of flash?

Although the words gleam and flash have much in common, gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When could glimmer be used to replace flash?

The words glimmer and flash are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

Where would glint be a reasonable alternative to flash?

While in some cases nearly identical to flash, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When would glisten be a good substitute for flash?

While the synonyms glisten and flash are close in meaning, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

In what contexts can glitter take the place of flash?

The synonyms glitter and flash are sometimes interchangeable, but glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When can shimmer be used instead of flash?

The words shimmer and flash can be used in similar contexts, but shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When might sparkle be a better fit than flash?

The meanings of sparkle and flash largely overlap; however, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

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 flash
Noun
In a flash, Dracut had erased its three-goal deficit to even things at 6-all. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026 As the moon joins forces with Neptune, inspiration returns in flashes, but its sextile to Uranus supports fresh ideas, emotional breakthroughs and the courage to try something new. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
Verb
In a fun Instagram post shared on Thursday, June 11, the account for The Housemaid showed Kelly, 37, reading the Freida McFadden novel on which the sequel will be based and flashing a smile for the camera. Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026 Crews can use flashing blue lights to stop boaters for safety inspections, investigate impaired operators and keep vessels out of restricted areas. Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Adjective
Tom Lee of Fundstrat has been frequently citing the invention of flash-frozen food in the early 1900s as fundamentally disrupting the farming sector, which took farming as a share of jobs from 30% to 40% down to just 2% to 5%, but the economy reallocated value elsewhere. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026 This is why flash-frozen vegetables and seafood often cook up with a cleaner texture and brighter flavor than foods frozen slowly at home. Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash
Noun
  • Brunson would not go quietly, using another flurry of points to cut the Spurs’ lead back down to six as the quarter neared the halfway point.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • That pronouncement set off a flurry of activity that saw reporters scrambling to post to social media channels, while still trying to listen to what Berry had to say.
    Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • Two setups from Pulisic, playmaking in bursts on the left wing, beating three Paraguay defenders during one sprint.
    Filip Bondy, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026
  • The actress said that the show was inspired by her love of discussing personal topics in short bursts.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • Vegas pulled Carter Hart with about three minutes to go, officially entering desperation mode, but nothing worked, and Nikolaj Ehlers scored an empty-netter to start the party.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
  • The administration filed a last-minute request to stay the judge's injunction pending their appeal, but it was ultimately rejected.
    Emma Nicholson, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • In the wake of OG’s miracle shot, what would follow was so obvious.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
  • At the clinic, community health workers confirmed her suspicion and gave her a week's supply of a near-miracle food - Plumpy'Nut, the brand name of what's called a ready-to-use therapeutic food, or RUTF.
    Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • In fact, in a time when artificial intelligence imperils the livelihoods – and lives – of laborers across economic classes, sumptuous spectacle can be an act of resistance in its own right.
    Eileen G'Sell, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
  • Every four years, soccer fans around the globe go berserk over the World Cup, but in host cities like Los Angeles, the worldwide spectacle feels bittersweet and financially out of reach.
    Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • The idea of the song — ‘Jules Rimet still gleaming’ — is looking back at the 1966 World Cup rather than talking about winning the Euros.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • Anthony and Metcalf attended separate schools in Frisco, one of Texas’ fastest-growing cities that is dotted with dozens of modern school campuses and gleaming athletic facilities.
    Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Worked on by architect Julia Morgan for nearly 30 years, the estate, which was never officially finished, includes 165 rooms and 123 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways, where Hearst displayed his impressive art collection.
    Alia Beard Rau, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • Stephenson displayed his versatility again in that award-winning debut year, playing in a number of positions across defence and midfield, but has benefited from more stability in this one.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • With their tiny, twinkling lights, fireflies are icons of a Georgia summer night.
    Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 6 June 2026
  • The Danish band’s newfound brightness is apparent from the start, as the album opens with twinkling glockespiel.
    Brendan Hay, SPIN, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Flash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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