flare 1 of 2

noun

ˈfler How to pronounce flare (audio)
Definition of flarenext
1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity a flare in gift card sales around graduation time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in burst
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling ended the quarrel with a stunning flare of swearwords

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible in the darkness the flare of a single match might be seen by enemy troops

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flare

2 of 2

verb

as in to glow
to shine with a bright harsh light floodlights flaring into the forbidding empty spaces surrounding the prison

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 flare
Noun
Two officers were seated inside a Dodge Charger patrol car when the Tesla, driven by a 22-year-old Sacramento man, passed through a pattern of flares and traffic cones and struck their vehicle, the CHP said. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026 These foldable ballet sneakers take a page out of Hadid’s book but with some Mary Jane flare. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
The fireball flared repeatedly during its descent through Earth's atmosphere, which was captured in a livestream from the town of Dragoon, Arizona operated by the trainspotting website SouthWest RailCams and shared by X user rbmichae80. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026 That has stoked concerns the Iran conflict could flare up again, sending crude oil prices up sharply Thursday. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare
  1. flurry
  2. burst
  3. glow
  4. burn
  5. outburst
  6. explosion
  7. glare
  8. flame
Noun
  • Florida has accelerated its pace of executions amid a flurry of death warrants signed by DeSantis since 2025.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Facing a flurry of negative reactions, the AI content was taken down within three hours.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • Shuting Qiu’s lineup of vivid patterns and billowing silhouettes offered a burst of color and optimism to the city.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Even during historically warm winters, intense cold snaps, lake-effect bursts, and major individual snowstorms remain entirely possible.
    — Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • The concealer, which comes in 25 shades, goes on top to add a subtle glow that plays up the color of the eyes.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2026
  • While the planets in our solar system are still visible, sky glow obscures more distant objects, such as fainter stars.
    — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • The house took eight years to build on the property where the couple’s previous home burned during the 2018 Woolsey fire, along with Albuquerque’s studio, archive and many of her paintings.
    — Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The wall's stonework showed signs of fire damage, while archaeologists also uncovered burned seeds and the remains of a charred wooden building nearby.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of burn
Noun
  • The cause of their displeasure has to do with scenes woven throughout that illustrate how Baldwin got his reputation for angry outbursts – confrontations with paparazzi through the years, for instance.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
  • This is not the first time Blair has experienced an outburst on a plane.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • More recently, the Kremlin has expressed hope that those who orchestrated the explosions will be held accountable.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The trailer also featured glimpses of steamy makeouts, ATV chases down the beach, fiery explosions, and good ol’ bar fights.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • The glare cast by the 74%-lit waxing gibbous moon will hide fainter shooting stars for much of the night.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • He was constantly interrupted by phone calls, the glare of television lights and accepted his good wishes of his friends across the country.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of glare
Verb
  • The flaming tower is part of a component most often known in Russian by the acronym ELOU-AVT, shorthand for an Electric Desalting and Atmospheric-Vacuum Distillation Unit.
    — Jarrett Ley, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
  • When SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket exploded over the Caribbean last year, the internet lit up with videos from airline passengers, island tourists and locals showing flaming debris shooting across the sky.
    — Heather Vogell, ProPublica, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of flame

Phrases Containing flare

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flaps
flare
flared
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Cite this Entry

“Flare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flare

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flare

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