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
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
Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
The crew might also spy distinct flashes of light as space rocks strike the moon — or dust floating above the edge of the moon, a mysterious phenomenon scientists have yet to understand fully.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
And still see flashes of good stuff?
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Louis saw muzzle flashes and the truck’s rear windshield exploded.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
At its heart, memoir is about epiphanies—those remembered flashes that alter the trajectory of a life, moments of crisis that force people to take stock of their experience, and events after which nothing feels quite the same.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
There are flashes of something sharper in the film’s view of American privilege.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
At some point, a car or a truck flashes in the center and a road sign shows up on the periphery.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
Heathcliff arrives too late to say goodbye, and tearfully cradles her dead body as a montage of their passionate romance flashes across the screen.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Jessica then zooms in on her husband, who flashes her a toothy smile.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
As the trailer flashes through some of the most intense scenes from the show, among them is the moment where Dani is carried out by production after suffering from dehydration during the season.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The mysterious crime family flashes across the screen with John Noble and Luke Kirby portraying certain members.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
The scene flashes to an image of El, now with long hair and normal clothes, hiking up a stony mountain to a beautiful ridge overlooking waterfalls.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
Along with that is a changeup that flashes plus and sits in the 88-90 mph range.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
The crew might also spy distinct flashes of light as space rocks strike the moon — or dust floating above the edge of the moon, a mysterious phenomenon scientists have yet to understand fully.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
And still see flashes of good stuff?
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Louis saw muzzle flashes and the truck’s rear windshield exploded.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
At its heart, memoir is about epiphanies—those remembered flashes that alter the trajectory of a life, moments of crisis that force people to take stock of their experience, and events after which nothing feels quite the same.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
There are flashes of something sharper in the film’s view of American privilege.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
At some point, a car or a truck flashes in the center and a road sign shows up on the periphery.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
Heathcliff arrives too late to say goodbye, and tearfully cradles her dead body as a montage of their passionate romance flashes across the screen.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
In his arms, a baby Jesus with mysteriously mature eye bags flashes a peace sign.
—Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Jessica then zooms in on her husband, who flashes her a toothy smile.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
As the trailer flashes through some of the most intense scenes from the show, among them is the moment where Dani is carried out by production after suffering from dehydration during the season.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The mysterious crime family flashes across the screen with John Noble and Luke Kirby portraying certain members.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
The scene flashes to an image of El, now with long hair and normal clothes, hiking up a stony mountain to a beautiful ridge overlooking waterfalls.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashes
Noun
-
The storms that pummeled Southern California this week brought dramatic wind gusts, bursts of rain and lightning that set trees on fire, not to mention heavy snow.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Curlers need an intense training regimen, dedicated to sustaining them through short bursts of cardiovascular exercise (sweeping) and keeping their legs flexible and strong to support the deep lunge position adopted when hurling the stone.—
Julia Frankel,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Thermal runaway is a self-sustaining chain reaction where a little bit of pressure or heat starts producing even more heat, leading to a rapid rise in temperature that can trigger deadly fires or explosions.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The violence followed explosions in Kabul that Afghan officials blamed on Pakistan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Each mission can last up to 36 minutes, depending on payload and conditions.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The Four Way, a modest stone structure minutes from the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis’ Soulsville District, was on his list.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
So always remember, your dishwasher works some magic but not miracles.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
-
As a teenager Acutis used his tech savvy to create a website that listed Eucharistic miracles.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
13 Feb. 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
-
The Museum of Measurement and Time displays surveying tools and maps dating back to the 1700s, and is open for limited hours on Thursdays through Saturdays.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The Ukrainian Olympic athlete Vladislav Heraskevych displays the memorial helmet that resulted in his ban.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The government announces June 3 as election day.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Jackson announces he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some lingering light flurries will taper off through the day, but another system is expected to move through in the evening.—
Aki Nace,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Snow flurries are blowing at an angle, the sky is a leaden grey, and visibility is poor.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flashes. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
