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
as in to glow
to shine with a bright harsh light
floodlights flaring into the forbidding empty spaces surrounding the prison
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flare
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Under the new law, drivers must slow down or change lanes when approaching any highway maintenance vehicle or stopped vehicle that has flashing hazard lights or warning devices, such as cones or road flares.
—Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
The hour-glass heel is slightly tapered toward the center and flares out into a wide, round heel.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flare
Noun
For some patients, particularly during severe disease flares, hospitalization may also be necessary to stabilize organ function, manage pain or treat complications such as infections.
—Verb
But as old tensions flare between them, Katie begins to experience terrifying visions and a ghostly presence warning of something sinister lurking aboard.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare
Noun
-
The 50-year mortgage proposal came amid a flurry of posts from Pulte, a member of one of America’s most prominent homebuilding families, who was fresh off a Friday appearance at ResiDay, a residential real estate conference hosted by ResiClub.—
-
Prospect Avenue was renamed Hollywood Boulevard, and a flurry of tony hotels, palatial theaters and glitzy boutiques opened along the stretch between Vine Street and Highland Avenue.—
Noun
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The only constant is Mount Etna, looming off to one side, at times sputtering out smoke, ash, and short bursts of lava.—
-
And yet, two-thirds into the song’s six-minute lurch, a beaming synth line appears like a biblical burst of light, a plea for sanctuary from perpetual chaos.—
Noun
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The sneakers come in 21 colors — but users can score them for 20 percent off in specific shades, including white and cielo blue, carnation and starlight glow, and droplet and druzy.—
-
Clean fireplace glass regularly to maintain its glow and prevent soot or haze from hardening over time.—
Verb
-
Walk out of a play’s shadows back into the clear light of day without a there to take with you, and even a burning cauldron will become little more than a brief candle.—
-
Veg/cm/61 Fire has been burning on private land.—
Noun
-
As 6-7 went viral, teachers complained that random outbursts by their students were interrupting their lessons.—
-
Kerr, who was ejected in the loss to the Clippers, was not worried about how the league or his players would react to his outburst.—
Noun
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Local media also reported that several explosions were heard before the fire began.—
-
Jonathan Taylor’s offensive explosion helped push the Indianapolis Colts past the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in the first NFL regular-season game in Berlin, 31-25, in overtime.—
Noun
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Robitaille quickly picks her up, shooting a glare at her husband as their daughter begins to cry.—
-
The glare from the sun had been reflecting in the lenses and distracting Smith.—
Verb
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The luxury Swiss Alps nightclub where at least 40 people were killed and nearly 120 others were injured in a New Year’s Eve inferno, had previously released a promotional video advertising flaming champagne bottles, which authorities deemed the cause of the tragedy.—
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Finish with a cremaet, Valencian coffee flamed with rum infused with lemon and cinnamon.—
Cite this Entry
“Flare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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