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

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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

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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

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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
Substantial evidence links psychological stress to inflammation, barrier impairment and skin aging, which is why breakouts, sensitivity and dullness flare during hard weeks. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026 Harassment techniques are also suggested, which include strobe lights, scare devices and noise deterrence devices like air horns, flare rounds or blank noise rounds. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
While her blazer was on the roomier side, Jenner struck a balance with a pair of hip-hugging khaki trousers that flared slightly at the knee and landed right at her ankle. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026 Expect egos to run hot and tempers to flare as everyone tries to keep things civil. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 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
  • The turns came in a flurry as each of Green, Levine, and Clarkson had two spots to fill, and Latifah had one to give.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2026
  • This bold flurry is a stark contrast with Democratic leaders, who would like to start really shaping their agenda … after the midterm elections.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • The laser accelerated electrons through a gas, directing them into a solid target to create light bursts that generated muon pairs.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In bursts of bright stanzas, Chen Chen transports us through the landscape of his childhood into his early twenties.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • What sets this story apart, Nakajima says, is that Nobita, a human, ends up beneath the waves because he was bathed in the glow of the Adaptation Ray.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Every nightfall is different — different seasonal colors, angels, weather, celestial glows, grasses and shadows.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • Oura might not be under the same pressure to access capital as a cash-burning startup.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The scene is a sensory one, with layered cowhide rugs, leather armchairs, a wood-burning fire, and twinkling chandeliers that were original to the Pulitzers’ home.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of burn
Noun
  • One such outburst took place in 1933, when observers in Europe watched an astonishing 500 shooting stars streak across the sky each minute.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Michael Douglas was subject to violent and angry outbursts as well.
    — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • Hastert’s tenure was marked by a shift of power from committee chairmen to GOP leaders, fealty to the Bush administration and an explosion of congressional pet projects known as earmarks.
    — Michael Tarm, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The explosion caused an artificial radiation belt that destroyed several satellites and partially knocked out street lights and phone lines in Hawaii.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • Except in large telescopes, the satellites might be lost in the glare of the bright lunar crescent just prior to disappearing behind the moon, but their emergence from behind the Moon's dark side should be especially dramatic.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Even in blazing sunlight, the screen cuts right through the glare without washing out.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of glare
Verb
  • Ali, trembling from the effects of Parkinson’s disease but with strength still evident, held the flaming torch aloft.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, a user named dedsheeran captioned a video of a flaming car accident with links to several organizations providing aid in Palestine, including Gaza Soup Kitchen, UNRWA, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and Doctors Without Borders.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flare

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flare

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