1
as in bursts
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
a flash of last-minute trips to the grocery store before the onset of the big snowstorm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explosions
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
a much-needed flash of humor during the otherwise boring lecture
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in minutes
a very small space of time
the shower will be over in a flash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in miracles
something extraordinary or surprising
the new goalie for our hockey team was apparently quite a flash in his hometown
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in gleams
to shoot forth bursts of light
the actress's diamond necklace flashed as she hurried on stage to accept the award
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in displays
to present so as to invite notice or attention
flashed a wad of cash as he paid for his dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in announces
to make known openly or publicly
flashed the news of the royal birth around the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flashes
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2026
Long-term, Burries has a non-zero chance to cement himself as Flagg’s sidekick if his flashes of on-ball creation become go-to parts of his arsenal.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2026
Hamilton, meanwhile, was still searching for that elusive first Ferrari victory despite showing flashes of speed throughout the season and posting three podium finishes.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Some of the notable moments of the season included flashes of play where Bethune, Sentnor and Debinha would occupy the same space in the midfield.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
In 2023 a collaboration of radio astronomers reported tiny deviations in the timing of these flashes from dozens of pulsars in the Milky Way.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 18 June 2026
Rodrigo Bentancur impressed after returning from a hamstring injury for the final six games of the season and Conor Gallagher showed flashes of his quality following De Zerbi’s appointment.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Those who watched the Artemis 2 broadcast may remember the team in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) literally jumping for joy when the astronauts reported seeing these flashes.
—Neil Oseman, Space.com, 14 June 2026
Throughout the set, lasers, strobes and flashes enchanted the audience, visuals dancing alongside the music.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 14 June 2026
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
Is Whalefall largely a dual narrative that flashes between the innards of a whale and the father-son relationship?
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
The camera then cuts to the driver, who blows her a quick kiss and flashes a smile before setting his trophy down on the podium and cheering for his fellow champions.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Moore, who played at Indiana, flashes every now and then by getting pass breakups.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 June 2026
The front of the doorbell holds the call button, an LED ring that flashes blue when the button is pressed or white during a firmware update, an ambient light sensor, two infrared LEDs, and a microphone.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 2 June 2026
Sensing something is definitely amiss with Duncan, Carl flashes a satisfied smile.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
Noun
Set a little back from the sea, there are flashes of blue on property; better views (and stunning sunsets) from the rooftop Bougainvillea Bar; plus a private club on the public beach, a few minutes away and reached by hotel shuttle.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2026
Long-term, Burries has a non-zero chance to cement himself as Flagg’s sidekick if his flashes of on-ball creation become go-to parts of his arsenal.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2026
Hamilton, meanwhile, was still searching for that elusive first Ferrari victory despite showing flashes of speed throughout the season and posting three podium finishes.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Some of the notable moments of the season included flashes of play where Bethune, Sentnor and Debinha would occupy the same space in the midfield.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
In 2023 a collaboration of radio astronomers reported tiny deviations in the timing of these flashes from dozens of pulsars in the Milky Way.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 18 June 2026
Rodrigo Bentancur impressed after returning from a hamstring injury for the final six games of the season and Conor Gallagher showed flashes of his quality following De Zerbi’s appointment.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Those who watched the Artemis 2 broadcast may remember the team in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) literally jumping for joy when the astronauts reported seeing these flashes.
—Neil Oseman, Space.com, 14 June 2026
Throughout the set, lasers, strobes and flashes enchanted the audience, visuals dancing alongside the music.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Verb
Then Jaimoe pauses, flashes a quick, playful grin, and rolls his right pant leg up to his knee.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
Is Whalefall largely a dual narrative that flashes between the innards of a whale and the father-son relationship?
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
The camera then cuts to the driver, who blows her a quick kiss and flashes a smile before setting his trophy down on the podium and cheering for his fellow champions.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Moore, who played at Indiana, flashes every now and then by getting pass breakups.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 June 2026
The front of the doorbell holds the call button, an LED ring that flashes blue when the button is pressed or white during a firmware update, an ambient light sensor, two infrared LEDs, and a microphone.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 2 June 2026
Sensing something is definitely amiss with Duncan, Carl flashes a satisfied smile.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashes
Noun
-
For decades, observatories have recorded brief-but-bright flashes of radio waves—fast radio bursts, or FRBs—whose origin on the sky astronomers have managed to pinpoint in only a handful of cases.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
18 June 2026
-
This could be rescheduling a doctor's appointment, finding a contractor after a pipe bursts, or picking up your dry cleaning before a flight in the morning.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Another toxic chemical crisis A massive fire at a Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse triggered an ammonia leak, explosions and shelter-in-place orders across Eastside neighborhoods.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Moscow’s mayor said air defenses shot down nearly 200 drones, as videos circulating on social media showed explosions and smoke billowing across the Russian capital.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Unlike standard eye drops that get washed away by tears within minutes, living eye drops use bacteria that colonize the eye and continuously release therapeutic proteins after a single application.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
The lawsuit, filed on Saturday in the Central District of California, claims that the supermodel turned media personality participated in a 3½-hour interview, of which about 16 minutes was used.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Liberal clergy abandoned certain tenets of Christian orthodoxy—the Virgin Birth, Christ’s miracles—for a more literary and historical approach to the Bible.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
-
The Probability of Miracles follows Campbell Cooper (Collazo), an acerbic teenager dying of cancer who, after receiving a terminal diagnosis, moves with her mom and younger sister to the town of Promise, where miracles are said to happen.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Like Beckham’s dress, the 100-percent silk dress softly gleams in the light.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Despite a couple of funky skips, the album is fueled by the hunger of an artist who really wants the pop life again, perking up electro-scuzz and arena rock with new wave that gleams like glitter.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In posters on classroom walls, the Standard Model displays 17 particles.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
15 June 2026
-
Pinney’s bold and free conception of how a drama is constituted, and its inseparability from time and memory, displays a rare associative virtuosity.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
On another monitor, a dashboard that resembles the menu screen of a flight simulator flickers to life — only this is no simulation.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
But in the final scene, when Sam goes to the bathroom to change the bandage on his forehead, the mirror flickers with static at his reflection.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Subscribe to my free newsletter for first-look coverage and exclusive deals the moment Samsung announces pricing.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Relativity announces commercial Mars mission.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flashes. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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