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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Anyone who notices flashes, new floaters or a shadow in their vision should seek urgent eye care. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026 The nurturing Moon in your 12th House of Solitude conjoins sudden Uranus there, so flashes of insight may surface in dreams, meditation, or a quiet shower. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026 His eight turnovers reflected the rookie’s inevitable learning curve, but did little to diminish the flashes that have the Jazz so optimistic about the future. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2026 Despite flashes of effectiveness at Triple-A, the Yankees have decided to move on from a hard-throwing reliever Dylan Coleman, as command issues ultimately proved too difficult to overcome. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 The story wrestles with how to recognize flashes of Criterion’s former self in what its become. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 8 July 2026 There are genuine flashes of inspiration in that setup, including a moment where your phone screen appears to crack alongside the heroine’s. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 July 2026 In many cases, males blink about every five seconds while searching for females and females respond with flashes of their own about every two seconds. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026 There are flashes of promise, like Rhaenyra’s banquet speech and the emergence of Comrade Mysaria, but overall, the performance evaluation isn’t looking great. — The Editors, Vulture, 3 July 2026

Verb

Jennifer Garner flashes a smile at The Five Star Weekend Premiere held at The Hammer Museum on July 8 in Los Angeles. — People Staff, PEOPLE, 13 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 An officer flashes a peace sign while another tells her to move along. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 July 2026 The nature of the fire determines how long a shelter user stays inside, whether the fire flashes over them or stays put, Montrastelle said. — Jack Dura, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Trying to shed ‘nice-guy tendencies’ Jeff Whittington stands in front of the room, flashes a boyish smile, and prepares to be lambasted. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026 Why scientists are paying close attention Hydrothermal explosions occur when pressurized hot water trapped underground suddenly flashes into steam. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 24 June 2026 Each nail is coated in pink chrome powder that flashes a beetle-like green in the light. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashes

Noun

Under rural Spanish skies, particularly in dark-sky regions away from towns and cities, observers could see 30 to 50 meteors per hour, with occasional bursts producing even more.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 14 July 2026
When the aorta bursts, blood rushes through the tear, which often leads to sudden death.

— Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

Definition of bursts

Noun

Fedorov’s removal came as Russian missiles struck Kyiv early Thursday, with loud explosions heard in the Ukrainian capital just hours before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was set to arrive.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
And most often these fires, explosions and leaks happen in working-class neighborhoods.

— Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of explosions

Noun

The heavy use of VAR has also interrupted the flow of games by halting matches that weren’t meant to be halted, leaving everyone standing on the field while the referee goes off to watch TV, sometimes for minutes at a time.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
After having the ball inside Argentina's half of the pitch for seemingly minutes, Switzerland was able to at last generate two decent looks at a goal, but each time the shot was saved by Argentina keeper Emiliano Martínez.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026

Definition of minutes

Noun

But such concerns recede when a movie has this much heart and humor, not to mention respect for South Sea cultures, inventiveness with their mythology and an infectious sense of wonder at the miracles of nature.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
There are no miracles, no fluke teams that make the semifinals, let alone win it all.

— Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of miracles

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

The lethality of the Russian assaults on Kyiv in the last week displays the challenge Ukraine faces in protecting its capital as Russia innovates and steps up its attacks.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
The back of Greg Gates' shirt displays a summary of his stats over his years of running the Peachtree.

— Andre Butso, AJC.com, 2 July 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

This development means Californians will be able to check out a state parks pass for free at their local library for the foreseeable future, unless a governor or the Legislature announces otherwise.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Decades later, Guinevere brings out her ghostwritten memoir at the exact moment her estranged sibling announces an art installation called Mother.

— Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026