Synonyms of flashes

flashes 1 of 2

noun

plural of flash

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

• bursts
• flurries
• outbursts
• flickers
• spurts
• flutters
• surges
• flares
• outbreaks
• increases
• eruptions
• flare-ups
• recurrences
• floods
• explosions
• renewals
• rushes
• boosts
• upturns
• pickups
• upswings
• volleys
• recrudescences
• jags
• sprees
• paroxysms
• epidemics
• binges
• commotions
• deluges
• spates
• furors
• uproars

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slumps
• doldrums
• calms

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

• bursts
• explosions
• outbursts
• eruptions
• blazes
• flares
• flushes
• gusts
• spasms
• gales
• storms
• gushes
• paroxysms
• fits
• agonies
• frenzies
• ebullitions
• rages
• flare-ups
• tantrums
• raptures
• transports
• ecstasies
• blowups
• deliriums
• grouches
• firestorms
• furors

3

as in minutes

a very small space of time

the shower will be over in a flash

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minutes
• seconds
• moments
• heartbeats
• instants
• twinkles
• winks
• shakes
• nanoseconds
• twinklings
• trices
• split seconds
• eyeblinks
• beats
• jiffs
• jiffies
• snatches
• microseconds
• New York minutes
• spurts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ages
• aeons
• eternities
• lifetimes
• infinities
• forevers

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

• miracles
• wonders
• marvels
• phenomena
• prodigies
• sensations
• beauties
• splendors
• portents
• spectacles
• cautions
• sights
• apparitions
• curiosities
• appearances
• knockouts
• corkers
• dandies
• jim-dandies
• crackerjacks

flashes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of flash

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

• gleams
• glints
• shimmers
• shines
• sparkles
• twinkles
• glitters
• glimmers
• glistens
• glows
• glances
• winks
• flames
• scintillates
• spangles
• beams
• glisters
• coruscates
• winkles
• lusters
• radiates
• dazzles
• flares
• glares
• blinds
• blazes
• bedazzles
• dazes
• burns

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

• displays
• exhibits
• shows
• waves
• unveils
• exposes
• produces
• announces
• parades
• flaunts
• struts
• shows off
• sports
• reveals
• lays out
• advertises
• proclaims
• brandishes
• flourishes
• disports
• posts
• broadcasts
• discovers
• blazes
• airs
• publicizes
• heralds
• divulges
• trumpets
• sounds
• tells (of)
• talks (about)
• bares
• uncovers
• unmasks
• placards
• uncloaks

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• masks
• disguises
• hides
• curtains
• conceals
• camouflages
• obscures
• covers
• occludes
• veils
• shrouds
• enshrouds
• occults

3

as in twinkles

to shine with light at regular intervals

the disco lights flashed, and the revelers danced

Synonyms & Similar Words

• twinkles
• flickers
• blinks
• glints
• sparkles
• winks
• flares
• glimmers
• shimmers
• sparks
• glitters
• glistens
• glances
• scintillates
• spangles
• glisters
• coruscates

4

as in announces

to make known openly or publicly

flashed the news of the royal birth around the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

• announces
• publishes
• proclaims
• declares
• advertises
• posts
• broadcasts
• blazes
• blares
• annunciates
• discloses
• publicizes
• heralds
• trumpets
• releases
• sounds
• runs with
• reveals
• promulgates
• enunciates
• promotes
• reports
• beats the drum (for or about)
• gives out
• placards
• rings
• shows
• spreads
• cries
• disseminates
• barks
• features
• bulletins
• calls (off or out)
• blazons
• puffs
• introduces
• imparts
• informs
• manifests
• notifies
• plugs
• divulges
• billboards
• communicates
• tolls
• blurbs
• bills
• intimates
• gazettes
• knells
• hands down
• apprises
• kithes
• pitches
• advises

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conceals
• withholds
• suppresses
• silences
• recalls
• retracts
• revokes
• hushes (up)
• recants

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flashes

Noun

Dabrowski sees its appeal as an aesthetic rather than simply a trend, pointing to the scarves, flashes of colors, especially red, and distinctly Parisian styling. — Alex Badia, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

This team shows some really good flashes of doing a lot of good things. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026

One of the more exciting reveals was footage of the Artemis II team telling the ground team back in Houston about its observation of impact flashes. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 11 Oct. 2026

There were flashes during his rookie year — an interception against the Dallas Cowboys and a beautiful pass breakup against All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026

As time runs out, the winning bidder’s name flashes on the screen. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Discovering more of these extreme X-ray flashes could help astronomers determine how often magnetars are formed through these neutron star mergers, Passaleva said in the statement. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Though Holmes remembers nothing, flashes of his razor-sharp skills of deduction begin to show. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

At a press conference yesterday NASA presented its preliminary findings, which touch on everything from the moon’s surprisingly colorful craters to a series of curious flashes that the astronauts spied in lunar shadows. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026

Verb

This option from Vantamo flashes a bright light and emits a 130-decibel sound from dual speakers whenever the top pin is pulled, alerting passersby of the emergency and scaring off potential assailants. — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2026

The show then flashes forward to the other women emotionally processing the news of his overdose and coming together at Angie’s to console one another and share memories of Robert. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

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