1
: a sudden outburst or intensification
a flare-up of hostilities
2
: a sudden bursting (as of a smoldering fire) into flame or light
a danger of flare-ups
3
: a sudden appearance or worsening of the symptoms of a disease or condition
an asthmatic flare-up
Examples of flare-up in a Sentence
took medication to prevent a flare-up of her asthma
there's no need for an angry flare-up, as we'll take care of the problem immediately
Recent Examples on the Web
White returned to the rotation after a three-game hiatus due to another flare-up of his lingering right calf injury.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
The flare-up occurred while the destroyer was patrolling the Middle East, a common destination for warships homeported in San Diego.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Key Takeaways Vitamin B12 is generally safe, but rare reactions like allergies or skin flare-ups can occur.
—Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
Its anti-inflammatory action also strengthens the epidermis, helping prevent redness and flare-ups.
—Alice Abbiadati, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare-up
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Cite this Entry
“Flare-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flare-up. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Medical Definition
flare-up
noun
: a sudden appearance or worsening of the symptoms of a disease or condition
an asthmatic flare-up
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