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

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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
Its skyline is dominated by towering smokestacks, hulking arrays of metal tubes and bright flames erupting from flares at petrochemical plants in the global plastics supply chain. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 But Peters was playing too far toward the middle, and Benge’s opposite-field flare dropped down near the foul line for a single. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
Their outsoles also flare out, giving you stable footing on uneven ground or slippery surfaces. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 The post comes as internal divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel and antisemitism have flared into the open. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 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
  • However, this flurry of spy satellite development was short-lived.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But over the next two decades, the singer would reiterate her legacy as an unstoppable force with a flurry of world tours, studio albums, film projects, corporate partnerships, and books.
    — Stephen L. Betts, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • The burst and ability to create separation jumped out, as did his calm and composed finish, all at seemingly peak speed.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.
    — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • Place it atop a credenza to create a diffused glow throughout the room in lieu of harsh overhead lighting.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Overnight, the foundation became a staple among makeup artists and beauty lovers worldwide, thanks to its second-skin finish and lit-from-within glow.
    — Beth Sobol, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • Fans of Dolly Parton have erected a memorial at the legendary singer-songwriter’s star on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame, placing flowers, cards and candles that continue to burn into the morning hours.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • At least five structures are known to have been burned, and additional damage assessments are expected to be conducted later Tuesday today.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of burn
Noun
  • At least that bad-optics outburst, while insubordinate, had something noble at its basis.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • This woman reportedly had already been receiving unwanted and threatening messages, and investigators concluded that Zhou’s AI conversations showed something more than a momentary angry outburst.
    — Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of outburst
Noun
  • The explosions provide different interruptions, punctuating the moment as one of Keeley’s ideas plays out in real time.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Though the threat of an explosion was mitigated in early June, cleanup didn't begin until the very end of the month.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of explosion
Noun
  • In living rooms, televisions are often placed in locations where ambient light from the windows can cause visible glare.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The concept is basically like a solar eclipse; a coronagraph blocks out the glare of a star such that anything around that star can come into focus.
    — Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of glare
Verb
  • For one thing, the flaming robot arms also kept smashing into things.
    — Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Even Miami locals are guilty of thinking a tiny little cap will effectively shield their faces from the wrath of the flaming Florida sun.
    — Mariana Zapata, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flare

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flare

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