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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
3
as in minutes
a very small space of time
the shower will be over in a flash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in announces
to make known openly or publicly
flashed the news of the royal birth around the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flashes
C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Symptoms include seeing flashes of light, spots in your vision (eye floaters), blurred vision and darkening of peripheral vision.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
But sophomore Ryan Wingo, a former five-star recruit, showed flashes of his big-play potential – especially on quick receiver screens – with team-highs in catches (54), yards (834) and touchdowns (seven).
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
Which state had the most overall flashes?
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
With about 73 flashes per square mile, Oklahoma had the highest concentration.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Videos shared on social media showed flashes of light illuminating the night sky followed by loud booms echoing through residential areas.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
There were flashes and smoke that appeared to be from explosions on the ground.
—Keir Simmons, NBC news, 3 Jan. 2026
Head coach Kalen DeBoer said the offense has shown flashes but needs better timing to fully capitalize.
—Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Burnett pauses, considers the question, and then flashes a mischievous grin.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
The show flashes forward 18 months to Hawkins, Indiana, being rebuilt as an idyllic version of Small Town America.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
Mindy, like an absolute child, flashes her engagement ring rather than having an adult conversation with Alfie.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Schlepping from town to town to support his gruesome secret tradition, Billy flashes forward from a terrifying memory from the car-jacking that killed his parents when was 8 years old.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025
The amps are now gone, but the cross still flashes onscreen.
—Alma Rota, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Andy Lyons / Getty Images The greatest women’s track and field star of her generation flashes a contagious smile.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
That nucleotide flashes light in a characteristic color that identifies which base is being connected.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
Benson has shown flashes of being a very productive player, but needs to do it consistently at the big-league level.
—Verb
Less than a minute into the video, as the singer sits by herself in the middle of the desert, the camera suddenly flashes to Blue, who is wearing a dress nearly identical to her mom's gown.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashes
Noun
-
After testing the interest of sports fans in short-form content, Disney aims to bring brief bursts to a broader audience.—
-
Operating for thousands of daily cycles over decades trumps quick bursts of power.—
Noun
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The explosions caused secondary fires that torched neighborhoods, according to the suit.—
-
Test explosions became increasingly rare.—
Noun
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His first action of the night came after about three minutes into the game, not long after going over to the exercise bike parked just outside the tunnel leading to their locker room, jumping on it while being advised by a member of the Hornets’ performance staff.—
-
Cellphone data showed Fuentes was at the crash site, immediately went home and then returned in a different car within 20 minutes, the affidavit said.—
Noun
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Among the many miracles my mom pulled off throughout my childhood was fixing us a hot breakfast nearly every morning, school days included.—
-
Last December, Yvette Olazar, a 33-year-old mom of three, had a hunch that her daughter Natalie, who was in 6th grade, had stopped believing in magical elves and Christmas miracles.—
Verb
-
Like Beckham’s dress, the 100-percent silk dress softly gleams in the light.—
-
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.—
Verb
-
Apple AirTags are essentially mini GPS tracking devices that sync directly to your iPhone’s Find My app, which displays location info on your phone.—
-
There’s no denying who this Papier planner belongs to—the customizable monogram tastefully displays your initials, embossed with gold foil.—
Verb
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Now, the big question for analysts seems to be when, not if, Abivax announces a deal.—
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The third bill from Schroer would require a professional sports team that announces plans to relocate to another state to charge an extra $50 on every ticket sold and an additional 5% charge on all purchases inside the stadium.—
Noun
-
Snow flurries were a hopeful sign in the early-morning hours on Wednesday, covering the road and giving a light, white blanket to the slopes.—
-
In a tunnel of thick black smoke, flurries of glowing red embers raced across the road, out to sea.—
Cite this Entry
“Flashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flashes. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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