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
Rebekah Peppler, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
The Artemis 2 astronauts remained vigilant while zipping around the far side of the moon last month, on the ready to record meteoroid impact flashes on the lunar landscape.
—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
In the documents, astronauts describe observing flashes of light, drifting particles and distant objects while traveling to and from the Moon.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
These flashes are brilliant but fleeting, lasting only a fraction of a second.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Runaway Avalanches In 1994, a satellite searching for extreme deep-space explosions happened to pick up flashes of gamma rays coming from thunderclouds, often alongside lightning.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026
Oliver, 28, is in his prime and has always shown flashes of being that type of player.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 4 May 2026
There have been moments of optimism, flashes of something sustainable, but nothing that has endured long enough to matter.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
People Staff, PEOPLE, 9 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
As the road cut through a jagged pitch of mountains on the 30-minute drive from Figari South Corsica airport, rhythmic flashes of the glittering sea and lush, wild terrain flickered at every turn.
—Rebekah Peppler, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026
The Artemis 2 astronauts remained vigilant while zipping around the far side of the moon last month, on the ready to record meteoroid impact flashes on the lunar landscape.
—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
In the documents, astronauts describe observing flashes of light, drifting particles and distant objects while traveling to and from the Moon.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
These flashes are brilliant but fleeting, lasting only a fraction of a second.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Runaway Avalanches In 1994, a satellite searching for extreme deep-space explosions happened to pick up flashes of gamma rays coming from thunderclouds, often alongside lightning.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026
Oliver, 28, is in his prime and has always shown flashes of being that type of player.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 4 May 2026
There have been moments of optimism, flashes of something sustainable, but nothing that has endured long enough to matter.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
Verb
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, 9 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
-
Scientists at Stanford found that biological aging accelerates in two distinct bursts, once around age 44 and again around 60, making the 30s and 40s a critical window for intervention.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 May 2026
-
In fact, when experienced in short bursts, stress can be beneficial by increasing focus, improving performance and preparing the body to handle challenges.—
Danielle Wilhour,
The Conversation,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
Use of inert bombs – or bombs with a small yield – could explain the lack of a large explosions or secondary blasts that an explosive warhead could cause, analysts said.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
The first of these explosions was spotted in 2018, and only 14 have been detected since, leading to a solid mystery for astronomers.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Michael Dale lay in his Escondido home with a plastic bag wrapped around his head and sealed with duct tape for at least eight minutes as Michaela Rylaarsdam, vibrator in hand, kept the cameras rolling, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in San Diego Superior Court.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
The son said police arrived within about 10 minutes.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Californians are not asking for miracles, just that our government does the basics well.—
Matt Mahan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
But they were grounded in enthusiasm and venture capital, and when consumers didn’t experience miracles, the whole category lost credibility.—
Robert Johnson,
Rolling Stone,
1 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
-
Two high-profile shows at the same time—and yet, her countenance displays no sign of exhaustion.—
Dennis Braatz,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
An operating license for a dilapidated Boba tea kiosk displays a 2024 expiration date.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Lee announces the drops via Dover Sole Market’s Instagram stories Wednesday or Thursday for Saturday and Sunday pickup.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
The real problem is not who announces the policy.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 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 12 May. 2026.
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