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
Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The Dolphins seemingly expected a run on offensive linemen in the first round, and got ahead of it by picking Proctor, who showed flashes of quick feet, smooth footwork, and a forceful punch at Alabama.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
The flashes were caused by rocky objects smacking into the lunar surface, and the astronauts’ observations of them caused scientists in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center to erupt in cheers.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Parrots make lime green flashes in sacred Almescar trees, a panacea of the indigenous Pataxó community.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
That combined with the flashes on the field are enough to pique substantial interest.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
The Academy has shown flashes of institutional curiosity.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
The projection is tricky because the body type is so unusual, but the movement traits and disruptive flashes are worth a long look.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
Grant, a 6-foot-3, 335-pound interior defensive lineman who can be athletic at his size, went through some rookie struggles and also some flashes.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 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
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
At the bottom of the escutcheon is a doorbell button that flashes blue when motion is detected.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
On the outside, he’ll be pushed by Thomas, a third-round pick last year who showed some flashes but also was banged up and didn’t play as much as the Jets would’ve liked in a developmental year.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The Dolphins seemingly expected a run on offensive linemen in the first round, and got ahead of it by picking Proctor, who showed flashes of quick feet, smooth footwork, and a forceful punch at Alabama.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
The flashes were caused by rocky objects smacking into the lunar surface, and the astronauts’ observations of them caused scientists in Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center to erupt in cheers.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Parrots make lime green flashes in sacred Almescar trees, a panacea of the indigenous Pataxó community.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
That combined with the flashes on the field are enough to pique substantial interest.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
The Academy has shown flashes of institutional curiosity.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
The projection is tricky because the body type is so unusual, but the movement traits and disruptive flashes are worth a long look.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
Grant, a 6-foot-3, 335-pound interior defensive lineman who can be athletic at his size, went through some rookie struggles and also some flashes.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Rihanna flashes a smile while posing for photos at the after-party for her Fenty Beauty launch in Mumbai, India, on April 24.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 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
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
At the bottom of the escutcheon is a doorbell button that flashes blue when motion is detected.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashes
Noun
-
Kay describes the aesthetic of the record in bursts.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Sycamore’s story is told in short bursts that immerse the reader into the present moment, creating a sense of urgency in the exploration of self, art, and family.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kaser’s masterstroke is in compounding these questions of agency with his deft writing style—there are motifs of holes, bottles, and explosions.—
Alastair Shuttleworth,
Pitchfork,
2 May 2026
-
Quick hits • Orlando Science Center hosts Mess Fest, which splatters knowledge and physics with paint, foam explosions and more.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Orlando’s defense caused problems early for Detroit when the Magic forced seven turnovers in the opening four minutes and jumped out to a 19-7 lead.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Take a few minutes to reset, then make one decision that supports both your stability and your peace moving forward.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rationalists like Jefferson, for example, believed in a creator but rejected biblical miracles and Jesus’ divinity.—
Thomas Tweed,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And the miracles of scientific discovery within that universe.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 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
-
Critics say that strategy displays a misunderstanding of how the 109-year-old agency functions.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Ponds also plays with a chip on his shoulder and displays fearlessness both in coverage situations and against the run.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces new rules for the upcoming season, and this year, much of the focus is on AI.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
1 May 2026
-
As IndieWire exclusively announces, the new program is designed to identify and elevate a single emerging filmmaker with a distinct creative voice worth championing today.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 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 3 May. 2026.
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