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
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Swift was originally designed to study a rare type of transient called gamma-ray bursts—seconds-long flashes of gamma-ray light that arise from the most energetic explosions in the universe.
—
Anna Y. Q. Ho,
Scientific American,
29 June 2026
As the firework began to wane after well over a minute, zigzagging streaks of light spread into a canopy of twinkling flashes that resembled stars.
—
Sacbee.com,
28 June 2026
And that has pet owners looking for ways to help their animals get through the loud explosions and bright flashes.
—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
28 June 2026
Even his more conservative plans, though, allow for flashes of style and unexpected spatial flourishes.
—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
27 June 2026
As his tussles with grief and sobriety and heartbreak appear in flashes, so do red and blue police lights.
—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
26 June 2026
Ideas that initially arrived as sudden flashes of inspiration can now be grounded with strategy.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
The early morning sun picked out brilliant flashes of red laced with white below an almost black back.
—
Marc Terziev,
Outdoor Life,
25 June 2026
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
29 June 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
Is Whalefall largely a dual narrative that flashes between the innards of a whale and the father-son relationship?
—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Moore, who played at Indiana, flashes every now and then by getting pass breakups.
—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
8 June 2026
Noun
Morel’s career arc had previously included flashes of legitimate middle-order production.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
Swift was originally designed to study a rare type of transient called gamma-ray bursts—seconds-long flashes of gamma-ray light that arise from the most energetic explosions in the universe.
—
Anna Y. Q. Ho,
Scientific American,
29 June 2026
As the firework began to wane after well over a minute, zigzagging streaks of light spread into a canopy of twinkling flashes that resembled stars.
—
Sacbee.com,
28 June 2026
And that has pet owners looking for ways to help their animals get through the loud explosions and bright flashes.
—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
28 June 2026
Even his more conservative plans, though, allow for flashes of style and unexpected spatial flourishes.
—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
27 June 2026
As his tussles with grief and sobriety and heartbreak appear in flashes, so do red and blue police lights.
—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
26 June 2026
Ideas that initially arrived as sudden flashes of inspiration can now be grounded with strategy.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
The early morning sun picked out brilliant flashes of red laced with white below an almost black back.
—
Marc Terziev,
Outdoor Life,
25 June 2026
Verb
Theo James flashes a peace sign in London's Mayfair at the official opening of RH's new flagship on June 25.
—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
29 June 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
Is Whalefall largely a dual narrative that flashes between the innards of a whale and the father-son relationship?
—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Moore, who played at Indiana, flashes every now and then by getting pass breakups.
—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashes
Noun
-
From Friday to Sunday, singers and alphorn players filled the streets and spontaneous bursts of yodeling echoed through restaurants, where diners initially reacted with surprise before joining in.
-
San Francisco real estate agent Butch Haze of Compass has seen tech booms followed by ravenous bursts of homebuying since the first internet gold rush of the late 1990s.
Noun
-
The satellite's primary objective, though, is to observe gamma-ray bursts – events triggered by the catastrophic deaths of massive stars and considered to be the most powerful types of explosions in the universe.
-
The observatory has spent over two decades as a sort of orbital sentinel that scans the cosmos for gamma-ray bursts, ready to quickly point itself at the short-lived — but insanely powerful — space explosions at a moment's notice.
Noun
-
Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside.
-
With seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, Clark and Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner got locked up on a physical possession.
Noun
-
Syd was always going places, but Richie and Tina — and, of course, the fabulous Fak brothers, Neil (Matty Matheson) and Ted (Ricky Staffieri) — were the miracles of the piece.
-
But, as a figure of the Enlightenment and thus a believer in reason and science, the former president discounted the miracles associated with Jesus — including his virgin birth and supposed resurrection.
Verb
-
Like Beckham’s dress, the 100-percent silk dress softly gleams in the light.
-
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.
Verb
-
Golden 1 Center displays a collection of vintage neon signs from historic local businesses, such as Shakey’s Pizza and Tower Records, on loan from the history center.
-
Throughout, the living room TV displays his screen time.
Verb
-
On another monitor, a dashboard that resembles the menu screen of a flight simulator flickers to life — only this is no simulation.
-
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.
Verb
-
Subscribe to my free newsletter for first-look One UI 9 coverage and exclusive deals the moment Samsung announces pricing.
-
The team behind Palo Santo announces plans for a new restaurant and social club in Midtown, peach trees arrive on Peachtree Street, Tipsy Thaiger opens its patio for the summer and more from the Atlanta food scene this week.
Cite this Entry
“Flashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flashes. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
