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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of flashes
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Ayton showed flashes of his talent against the Knicks by being more engaged.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
In an eerie scene captured on video Thursday, a first responder drove straight at a storm near Fairview, where flashes of lightning illuminated a giant funnel that appeared to reach the ground.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
In an eerie scene captured on video Thursday, a first responder drove straight at a storm near the western Oklahoma town of Fairview, where flashes of lightning illuminated a giant funnel that appeared to reach the ground.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
Unpredictable The rivalry with the Earthquakes has already shown flashes of regional intensity.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Tyler Herro would have flashes of scoring followed by stretches of costly turnovers.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
Video shared by Pakistani security officials showed flashes of light in the night from firing along the border and the sound of heavy artillery.
—Reuters, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The audience starts to get little flashes of it.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Your Roomba emits a chime and flashes its indicator ring or a Wi-Fi symbol.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
In his arms, a baby Jesus with mysteriously mature eye bags flashes a peace sign.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Jessica then zooms in on her husband, who flashes her a toothy smile.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
As the trailer flashes through some of the most intense scenes from the show, among them is the moment where Dani is carried out by production after suffering from dehydration during the season.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The mysterious crime family flashes across the screen with John Noble and Luke Kirby portraying certain members.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
The scene flashes to an image of El, now with long hair and normal clothes, hiking up a stony mountain to a beautiful ridge overlooking waterfalls.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
This season has been an improvement and there have been more regular flashes of his quality, but this was always the most likely outcome.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Ayton showed flashes of his talent against the Knicks by being more engaged.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026
In an eerie scene captured on video Thursday, a first responder drove straight at a storm near Fairview, where flashes of lightning illuminated a giant funnel that appeared to reach the ground.
—Dallas Morning News, 7 Mar. 2026
In an eerie scene captured on video Thursday, a first responder drove straight at a storm near the western Oklahoma town of Fairview, where flashes of lightning illuminated a giant funnel that appeared to reach the ground.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
Unpredictable The rivalry with the Earthquakes has already shown flashes of regional intensity.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Tyler Herro would have flashes of scoring followed by stretches of costly turnovers.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
Video shared by Pakistani security officials showed flashes of light in the night from firing along the border and the sound of heavy artillery.
—Reuters, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The audience starts to get little flashes of it.
—Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Durbin flashes leather If Thursday was any indication, the Red Sox will be in good hands if Alex Cora decides to roll with Caleb Durbin as the club’s starting second baseman.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Your Roomba emits a chime and flashes its indicator ring or a Wi-Fi symbol.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
In his arms, a baby Jesus with mysteriously mature eye bags flashes a peace sign.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Jessica then zooms in on her husband, who flashes her a toothy smile.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
As the trailer flashes through some of the most intense scenes from the show, among them is the moment where Dani is carried out by production after suffering from dehydration during the season.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The mysterious crime family flashes across the screen with John Noble and Luke Kirby portraying certain members.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
The scene flashes to an image of El, now with long hair and normal clothes, hiking up a stony mountain to a beautiful ridge overlooking waterfalls.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashes
Noun
-
For a company built around celebration — Fourth of July backyard shows, wedding sendoffs and bursts of color in the sky — the routine has become an uneasy one.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Another displacement or weakening of the polar vortex is underway, which can allow bursts of Arctic air to spill into the Midwest and Northeast at times, according to AccuWeather lead long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Multiple explosions were heard in Tehran, with blasts lighting up the sky and turning it orange, according to reports from the Iranian capital.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Grainy black-and-white videos show explosions destroying Iran’s ships, missiles and missile launchers.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Las Vegas, as one example, overhauled its room by agreeing to major deals with Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker in a matter of mid-afternoon minutes.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
-
There’s also the Downtown Mall, a walkable promenade lined with local boutiques, independent bookstores, and restaurants that encourage long afternoon hangs (the outdoor patio at Tilman’s is a local go-to, as is Smyrna just a few minutes walk away).—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Cleaning professional Claudia Meneses says that using white vinegar with a bit of water works real miracles on most shiny surfaces, including windows, chrome fixtures, and mirrors.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, Conger finds that what’s regarded as totally transformative technology is often getting trotted out as a ruse for cuts to bloated workforces that had to happen anyway, or as a wager on the miracles to come.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 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
-
The list displays all public schools in alphabetical order, followed by private schools and then colleges and universities.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Attractive green foliage sets off other plants in summer, and in fall, the plant displays a lovely yellow-gold color.—
Lynn McAlpine,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If Salley had been patient, Craig would have one of his inevitable blowups, and Charley would have gotten the ick faster than Rodrigo logs onto Ticketmaster when Madonna announces a new tour.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
-
State Department announces charter flights Tuesday afternoon, the State Department announced charter flights from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.—
Lisa Rozner,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Weather services predict a possibility of flurries, but no matter.—
Jennifer Day,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The weather on Friday and Saturday is expected to be nice with temperatures reaching the 60s and 70s, while Sunday could bring rain and flurries of snow.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flashes. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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