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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
But areas around the Guadalupe River have also long been prone to flash flooding, owing to the rugged terrain and the river’s non-absorbent limestone bed. Michelle Krupa, CNN Money, 7 July 2025 The type of clay-rich soil in the region contributes to the flash flooding because the clay soils do not easily absorb water and trigger high water runoff once wet. ABC News, 7 July 2025
Verb
Some of the violations also concern accusations that the company has outfitted its vehicles with flashing blue and red lights, in violation of state law. Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Shortly after being pulled over, two other unmarked vehicles appear on screen, also with flashing lights. Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Adjective
Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025 The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank. Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for flash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash
Noun
  • Senate Republicans steered the sweeping policy bill past a filibuster by using the protections of a process known as budget reconciliation, which also required the legislation to undergo a flurry of amendment votes that stretched from early Monday to lunchtime Tuesday.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
  • During the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys made a flurry of moves to bolster the cast of offensive weapons around Dak Prescott.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • April 2025 The Star: The cards suggest April will bring a refreshing burst of hope and clarity for you, Aries, as The Star invites you to reconnect with your dreams and aspirations.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • The Venetian police’s hybrids, recently aquired, are by Huracan Marine, designed to run on diesel when the cops need bursts of speed, and on electricity when slow cruising is required.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente, about 10 minutes.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
  • No player under Brown averaged 35 minutes per game in Sacramento in 2023.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • The movie plays the hits: Jesus’s birth in a Bethlehem stable; miracles including walking on water and the feeding of the 5,000; the crucifixion and resurrection.
    Chris DeVille, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
  • States would be responsible for them, and—miracle of miracles—state and federal agencies actually agreed on how to manage grizzlies after ESA protections end.
    Christine Peterson, Wired News, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Star Spangled Symphony in the Rockies Colorado Springs is famed for its annual Fourth of July spectacle with the city's Star Spangled Symphony.
    Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The sequel promises to deliver bigger spectacle and higher stakes.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Dressed in a Versace shirt and gleaming gold chain, Shakur was still out on bond, still basking in the glow of stardom, brushing off a violent altercation with a Crip gang member inside a Sin City casino that had transpired just hours earlier after a Mike Tyson boxing match.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
  • That means, as Hercules, buoyant Brady is asked to present little beyond a sweet-natured, naive hunk celebrated for his gym membership and gleaming dentistry.
    David Benedict, Variety, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Sell By: This date, used for inventory management purposes, indicates how long the retailer should display the product for sale.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 July 2025
  • In an experience that will certainly be beneficial heading into his first year as a Husky, the 7-foot big man continued to display his advanced footwork and an ability to score at all three levels during Germany’s 109-76 loss to Team USA in the gold medal game.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Check out Alila Ventana Big Sur for rustic luxury where the lush forest meets the coastal cliffs Garland Ranch Regional Park – In Carmel Valley, Garland Ranch Regional Park offers a scenic setting for gazing at the twinkling constellations in the serenity of the surrounding Santa Lucia Mountains.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Fellow porters huffing their way up a hillside; the stars twinkling above the desert sand; the layered waves of Caroline Polachek’s staggeringly beautiful title song cresting over the horizon at just the right moment.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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