FLASHES Synonyms: 231 Similar and Opposite Words

flashes 1 of 2

noun

plural of flash

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

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Relevance

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as in explosions

a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a much-needed flash of humor during the otherwise boring lecture

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as in minutes

a very small space of time the shower will be over in a flash

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as in miracles

something extraordinary or surprising the new goalie for our hockey team was apparently quite a flash in his hometown

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flashes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of flash

as in gleams

to shoot forth bursts of light the actress's diamond necklace flashed as she hurried on stage to accept the award

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as in displays

to present so as to invite notice or attention flashed a wad of cash as he paid for his dinner

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as in twinkles

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

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as in announces

to make known openly or publicly flashed the news of the royal birth around the world

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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 flashes

Noun

One of these events is known as Baily’s Beads, when flashes of light shine through gaps along the moon’s uneven edge. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 The officer, whose silver-and-gold watch flashes in the light, doesn’t seem intent on helping Pope. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Trillions of neutrinos — mostly those produced in the sun — pass through our bodies every second, yet after years of hunting them with detectors such as SNO+, researchers have captured only a few hundred thousand of their precious flashes. — James Dinneen, Quanta Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026 Jacas, whose reps have steadily increased over the week, has by no means dominated for even a stretch of practice, but flashes of excellent upper-body strength and burst off the line are there. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 Thunderstorms that sweep through the Kansas City area producing brilliant flashes of lightning and booming thunder knocked off power to around 10,000 customers in the Kansas City area. — Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 Adorned with retro wooden paneling, flashes of pistachio-green and pink Formica, and architectural murals that reimagine the glass decoration of Milan’s famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping emporium, the space evokes a classic Milanese café. — Amy Bradford, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026 McMillan still managed to show some flashes, capped by a seven catch, 114-yard receiving game at Miami. — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026 Noel Washington of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame showed flashes of brilliance as a sophomore. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Verb

As Robert Spillane works through a quiet camp, fellow inside linebacker Christian Elliss flashes again and again, this time in coverage during 7-on-7s with a pass breakup. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026 Danny Trejo flashes a smile at San Diego’s Comic-Con International on July 25. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 The other flashes forward to the mid-1990s and focuses on a team of FBI agents (including Shailene Woodley and Alexander Ludwig) hunting the elusive Unabomber who get a significant lead in the case connected to Kaczynski’s past. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 29 July 2026 The system, when working, flashes warning signs, alerts law enforcement to respond and displays messages on digital signs to warn drivers on the Turnpike. — Miami Herald, 24 July 2026 Belafonte flashes his famous smile under his famous widow’s peak. — Joshua Jelly-Schapiro, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026 Dent works to instill a culture of swift response anytime a light outside a room door flashes on. — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashes

Noun

Scientists are curious about the sun’s inner workings to better track massive bursts of energy called coronal mass ejections that can hurl toward Earth.

— Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The engines, adapted from those used in the company’s heavy machinery, mix pressurized hydrogen gas with air and ignite it to create bursts of power.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of bursts

Noun

Small explosions happen within the park every few years and generally present localized dangers.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Earlier this summer in Germany, evacuations were ordered in record-breaking heat after a wildfire triggered explosions in a nature reserve strewn with leftover ordnance from World War II.

— John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of explosions

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

Definition of gleams

Verb

Next to the workshop, a small showroom displays scarves, shawls, jackets, bags and other products made from Pulu and Zeter.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
The yacht also displays an impressive art collection, featuring works by Joan Miró, Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, and David Hockney.

— Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of displays

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

Definition of flickers

Verb

Concertgoers gather outside Chase Center after a message announces that Earth, Wind and Fire is unable to perform due to a medical emergency involving a member of the band in San Francisco, California, August 6, 2026.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
That is why Whole Foods Market, the nation’s largest natural grocer, today announces a partnership with the National Young Farmers Coalition to launch the Next Generation Farmer Fund.

— Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026