Synonyms of flashes

flashes 1 of 2

noun

plural of flash

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

• bursts
• flurries
• outbursts
• flickers
• spurts
• flutters
• surges
• flares
• outbreaks
• increases
• eruptions
• flare-ups
• recurrences
• floods
• explosions
• renewals
• rushes
• boosts
• upturns
• pickups
• upswings
• volleys
• recrudescences
• jags
• sprees
• paroxysms
• epidemics
• binges
• commotions
• deluges
• spates
• furors
• uproars

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slumps
• doldrums
• calms

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

• bursts
• explosions
• outbursts
• eruptions
• blazes
• flares
• flushes
• gusts
• spasms
• gales
• storms
• gushes
• paroxysms
• fits
• agonies
• frenzies
• ebullitions
• rages
• flare-ups
• tantrums
• raptures
• transports
• ecstasies
• blowups
• deliriums
• grouches
• firestorms
• furors

3

as in minutes

a very small space of time

the shower will be over in a flash

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minutes
• seconds
• moments
• heartbeats
• instants
• twinkles
• winks
• shakes
• nanoseconds
• twinklings
• trices
• split seconds
• eyeblinks
• beats
• jiffs
• jiffies
• snatches
• microseconds
• New York minutes
• spurts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ages
• aeons
• eternities
• lifetimes
• infinities
• forevers

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

• miracles
• wonders
• marvels
• phenomena
• prodigies
• sensations
• beauties
• splendors
• portents
• spectacles
• cautions
• sights
• apparitions
• curiosities
• appearances
• knockouts
• corkers
• dandies
• jim-dandies
• crackerjacks

flashes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of flash

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

• gleams
• glints
• shimmers
• shines
• sparkles
• twinkles
• glitters
• glimmers
• glistens
• glows
• glances
• winks
• flames
• scintillates
• spangles
• beams
• glisters
• coruscates
• winkles
• lusters
• radiates
• dazzles
• flares
• glares
• blinds
• blazes
• bedazzles
• dazes
• burns

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

• displays
• exhibits
• shows
• waves
• unveils
• exposes
• produces
• announces
• parades
• flaunts
• struts
• shows off
• sports
• reveals
• lays out
• advertises
• proclaims
• brandishes
• flourishes
• disports
• posts
• broadcasts
• discovers
• blazes
• airs
• publicizes
• heralds
• divulges
• trumpets
• sounds
• tells (of)
• talks (about)
• bares
• uncovers
• unmasks
• placards
• uncloaks

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• masks
• disguises
• hides
• curtains
• conceals
• camouflages
• obscures
• covers
• occludes
• veils
• shrouds
• enshrouds
• occults

3

as in twinkles

to shine with light at regular intervals

the disco lights flashed, and the revelers danced

Synonyms & Similar Words

• twinkles
• flickers
• blinks
• glints
• sparkles
• winks
• flares
• glimmers
• shimmers
• sparks
• glitters
• glistens
• glances
• scintillates
• spangles
• glisters
• coruscates

4

as in announces

to make known openly or publicly

flashed the news of the royal birth around the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

• announces
• publishes
• proclaims
• declares
• advertises
• posts
• broadcasts
• blazes
• blares
• annunciates
• discloses
• publicizes
• heralds
• trumpets
• releases
• sounds
• runs with
• reveals
• promulgates
• enunciates
• promotes
• reports
• beats the drum (for or about)
• gives out
• placards
• rings
• shows
• spreads
• cries
• disseminates
• barks
• features
• bulletins
• calls (off or out)
• blazons
• puffs
• introduces
• imparts
• informs
• manifests
• notifies
• plugs
• divulges
• billboards
• communicates
• tolls
• blurbs
• bills
• intimates
• gazettes
• knells
• hands down
• apprises
• kithes
• pitches
• advises

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conceals
• withholds
• suppresses
• silences
• recalls
• retracts
• revokes
• hushes (up)
• recants

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flashes

Noun

In the rape scene, the live action is intercut with flashes of staged broken glass against black and the words in Tessa’s own head. — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Gigi Hadid opened the runway as an orchestra — who were dressed within the Hilfiger universe in denim trousers, navy blazers and ties, with flashes of red socks — played live. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026

There are about 3,500 lightning flashes that reach the ground each day in the state. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Dart showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, demonstrating a playmaking ability possessed only by the best quarterbacks in the league. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

The resulting detonations will result in explosions, flashes of light and clouds of smoke visible from a distance, the Navy said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

The main colors here are black and white, with flashes of red and blue. — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

The scientists gave participants blind taste tests, then scanned their brains during tastings that involved cues such as flashes of light or pictures of a Coke or Pepsi can. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

The Heisman Trophy winner, who also led Indiana to the national championship, showed flashes of why the Raiders took him at the top of the draft. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Verb

Walker flashes rare ability for a player his size and within Leonhard’s scheme. — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

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