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

Dementia patients’ flashes of lucidity are offering hope to scientists and families. — Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026

The signal passes through a transistor controlled by the Arduino so that the flashes can be started and stopped at prescribed times. — David Schneider, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2026

Consider yourself a minimalist who prefers neutrals over flashes of bold color? — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026

Vahl paints a stark portrait of the town and its few inhabitants — basically three men left in charge of a few dozen others — in succinct brushstrokes that combine the remote pastoral locations with flashes of gore and violence. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Muzzle flashes appeared to show various guns shooting at the home, police said. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

They were rewarded by Kardashian’s arrival, clad in a formfitting tan midi dress with lace-up grommet detailing, triggering a storm of flashes and handshakes. — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

In his rookie season under Gregg Popovich, Wemby showed some flashes of being a solid offensive hub, operating in dribble handoffs and even pick-and-rolls. — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

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

Verb

This option from Vantamo flashes a bright light and emits a 130-decibel sound from dual speakers whenever the top pin is pulled, alerting passersby of the emergency and scaring off potential assailants. — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2026

The show then flashes forward to the other women emotionally processing the news of his overdose and coming together at Angie’s to console one another and share memories of Robert. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

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