FLASHES Synonyms: 231 Similar and Opposite Words

flashes 1 of 2

noun

plural of flash

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in explosions

a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a much-needed flash of humor during the otherwise boring lecture

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as in minutes

a very small space of time the shower will be over in a flash

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as in miracles

something extraordinary or surprising the new goalie for our hockey team was apparently quite a flash in his hometown

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flashes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of flash

as in gleams

to shoot forth bursts of light the actress's diamond necklace flashed as she hurried on stage to accept the award

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as in displays

to present so as to invite notice or attention flashed a wad of cash as he paid for his dinner

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as in twinkles

to shine with light at regular intervals the disco lights flashed, and the revelers danced

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as in announces

to make known openly or publicly flashed the news of the royal birth around the world

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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

Noun

But to overhaul Antonelli, Ferrari will need a return to the strong team performance and precise execution shown only in flashes of this season. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 The main colors here are black and white, with flashes of red and blue. — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 The scientists gave participants blind taste tests, then scanned their brains during tastings that involved cues such as flashes of light or pictures of a Coke or Pepsi can. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The Heisman Trophy winner, who also led Indiana to the national championship, showed flashes of why the Raiders took him at the top of the draft. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 Peak foliage in the Rangeley Lakes region more often occurs during the last week of September into the first week of October, but the cooler temperatures, quiet lakes, and first flashes of color arrive sooner. — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 On the field, both teams showed flashes of talent, made big plays and had a chance to win at the end. — Austin Horn august 29, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 Forsaking Quincy Jones for, among others, new jack swing king Teddy Riley, Jackson’s first ‘90s album revealed a grittier, funkier outlook, marked by flashes of lyrical darkness and paranoia. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Aug. 2026 Moments after the front tires hit the ground, there are three loud pops and flashes of light from the area around them, followed by flames. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Verb

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashes

Noun

And the 27-inch display bursts with gorgeous contrast and colors.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Inside, you’re greeted with fireworks; more than 30,000 crystals hang from a chandelier, forming a dozen bursts of light.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of bursts

Noun

The clever premise provides the opportunity for plenty of high-octane action sequences, including fistfights, shootouts, explosions and car chases, with the hapless Ben providing comic relief from Hank’s Terminator-like indestructibility.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Several heavy explosions shook Kuhestak, with fireballs that lighted up the night sky, according to security camera recordings carried by the semiofficial news agency Fars.

— David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of explosions

Noun

Sam Lee Matias Fernandez-Pardo (£51m), Newcastle Matias Fernandez-Pardo came on to replace Joe Willock after 64 minutes and slotted into the No 10 position, just off Yoane Wissa, in Jaissle’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Reduce the heat and simmer for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.

— Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of minutes

Noun

Hundreds of puppets had to be created, and fitting characters like the Smiling Friends that were clearly designed for 2D animation into 3D spaces required some fabrication miracles.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 30 Aug. 2026
No one is expecting miracles this season, even with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of new players in the team.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of miracles

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

Definition of gleams

Verb

The ones to prioritize are the Palatine Gallery, which displays the Medici’s collection of paintings, the Royal Apartments, and the Museum of Costume and Fashion.

— Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Step aside, Kalshi While Robinhood displays Kalshi's markets to its users, Moley estimates roughly 23% of prediction market volume has shifted to Rothera from Kalshi since June.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of displays

Verb

Atlanta Drive announces roster for inaugural season A new era of women’s golf lands in November.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026
In an interview with the Tribune-Review, the filmmaker said the movie is about a steelworker who loses his job when the mill announces a shutdown.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026