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
Mike Defabo, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Indeed, the only shooting victims shown (in several devastating flashes) are the heart of the film’s insoluble sorrows.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Small flashes like the Godox iT30Pro will pair well with the L10.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 14 May 2026
However, the researchers found that flashes of light in Polykrikos kofoidii were slower than their photosynthetic counterparts.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Yet the sport still shows flashes of strength.
—CBS News, 13 May 2026
The storms typically happen at night and last seven to 10 hours, with lightning flashes occurring 16 to 40 times per minute.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Big science haul Hunting for impact flashes was one of many science tasks for the astronauts during their historic April 6 flyby.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 8 May 2026
The astronauts also witnessed two, flashes of light inside the crew cabin, and a sighting of a bright light tentatively assumed to be a laser.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 May 2026
CBS News, 13 May 2026
Janet Jackson flashes a smile onstage as her 1989 album Rhythm Nation 1814 is inducted at the 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles on May 8.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Opening with the lead character found dead in a ditch, the film flashes backward to piece together her life from the memories of others, creating a fragmented portrait of an enigmatic young woman’s life.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The ‘Buffett Indicator’ flashes red The S&P 500 has rebounded to a near all-time record of 7165 since the Iran war sparked a selloff.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
Fields flashes both build-up speed and short-area juice, along with a go-and-get-it gear when the ball is in the air.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
When the movie flashes forward to 1968, Michael should have a baby sister named Janet.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2026
His yearning for Ruben’s approval and fear of his own desires are so acute that, when the show flashes forward to Niall’s wedding again, one half expects to see a woman waiting at the altar.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
To relay a sign, Marcello holds up his hand and flashes a sequence to the catcher with his fingers.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
Against average or below-average defenses, Rodgers was typically good, sometimes even showing flashes of his old brilliance.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Indeed, the only shooting victims shown (in several devastating flashes) are the heart of the film’s insoluble sorrows.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 16 May 2026
Small flashes like the Godox iT30Pro will pair well with the L10.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 14 May 2026
However, the researchers found that flashes of light in Polykrikos kofoidii were slower than their photosynthetic counterparts.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Yet the sport still shows flashes of strength.
—CBS News, 13 May 2026
The storms typically happen at night and last seven to 10 hours, with lightning flashes occurring 16 to 40 times per minute.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Big science haul Hunting for impact flashes was one of many science tasks for the astronauts during their historic April 6 flyby.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 8 May 2026
The astronauts also witnessed two, flashes of light inside the crew cabin, and a sighting of a bright light tentatively assumed to be a laser.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Verb
The device turns its head from side to side, flashes red LED eyes, while its tail is equipped with blue LEDs.
—CBS News, 13 May 2026
Janet Jackson flashes a smile onstage as her 1989 album Rhythm Nation 1814 is inducted at the 2026 Grammy Hall of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles on May 8.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Opening with the lead character found dead in a ditch, the film flashes backward to piece together her life from the memories of others, creating a fragmented portrait of an enigmatic young woman’s life.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The ‘Buffett Indicator’ flashes red The S&P 500 has rebounded to a near all-time record of 7165 since the Iran war sparked a selloff.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
Fields flashes both build-up speed and short-area juice, along with a go-and-get-it gear when the ball is in the air.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
When the movie flashes forward to 1968, Michael should have a baby sister named Janet.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2026
His yearning for Ruben’s approval and fear of his own desires are so acute that, when the show flashes forward to Niall’s wedding again, one half expects to see a woman waiting at the altar.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
To relay a sign, Marcello holds up his hand and flashes a sequence to the catcher with his fingers.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashes
Noun
-
The discordant, Bernard Herrmann-esque bursts of María Portugal’s rich score ratchet up the suspense and foreboding.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
We were immediately greeted by a resplendence of wildflowers, including purple-pink woolly bluecurls, bright orange southern bush monkey flower, red bursts of cardinal catchfly and at least one Catalina Mariposa lily.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Herrero also sought to use practical effects throughout the film, including gunfire and explosions, often enhanced with visual effects.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
Rubin, with the exquisite detail of its images, is well placed to find these types of events, in which stars disappear in explosions that can be too faint for other surveys to see.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Officers arrived at the scene four minutes later and found three adult men dead in front of the mosque, Wahl said.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
-
The women’s games showed the ticker on average three of every four minutes.—
Luke Connors,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Some Illinois mayors say data centers have worked miracles in their towns while others question whether the benefits overcome the downsides, and whether the benefits are as good as advertised.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
This commitment to one another, to seeing each other’s faults and growth, is one of the miracles of being in a band.—
Katie Gavin,
Time,
8 May 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
-
Purpose dissolves into who owns it, who displays it, who claims authority over it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Stanford’s Basic Income Lab provides a global map that displays 203 basic income experiment sites and is current through January 30, 2025, 50 of which were active and the rest completed.—
Carrie Brandon Elliot,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
As might be expected from one of Latin America’s most idiosyncratic innovators, the film’s title announces more than its obvious relationship to its predecessor.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
Cotton Bowl Athletic Association Names Marmion President, CEO The Cotton Bowl Athletic Association announces the selection of Dave Marmion as its next president and chief executive officer.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The latest flurries that dusted parts of the Sierra Nevada this week are unlikely to do much to ease California’s snow drought.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
As the rain and snow fall, flurries can melt, mix together and refreeze just before hitting the ground, according to Jackson Macfarlane, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Boise office.—
Hali Smith
April 14,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flashes. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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