1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity
a flare in gift card sales around graduation time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 11 May 2026
These curtains feature a splash of magenta around the border which adds a fun flare to the space.
—Macie Stump, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 May 2026
But when a former coworker pulls the same maneuver, tempers flare, and things start to get pretty dark.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare
Noun
In earlier years, a flare might have been inconvenient.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 11 May 2026
These curtains feature a splash of magenta around the border which adds a fun flare to the space.
—Macie Stump, Southern Living, 10 May 2026
Verb
City were riding the crest of a wave, but for Morrison, an old knee problem flared up at Port Vale early in the new season.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 May 2026
But when a former coworker pulls the same maneuver, tempers flare, and things start to get pretty dark.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare
Noun
-
The flurry of headlines about what was left out of the film—most obviously, the 1993 lawsuit that accused Jackson of molesting a 13-year-old, and subsequent lawsuits alleging similar abuse—also haven’t mattered.—
Jemele Hill,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
-
Kieffer acknowledged, however, that the board’s attorneys were looking into the flurry of legal questions regarding the referendum and the map.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
All over the dress, shimmering sequins created bursts of firework-like patterning, with varied tones of metallic silver.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
17 May 2026
-
The Tempo went on a 10-0 burst heading into the second quarter but the Sparks countered to maintain momentum and led 46-38 at halftime.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
In the home, a pearl-toned aesthetic creates a luminous glow that mimics the gem's bright shimmer.—
Rachel Silva,
Martha Stewart,
15 May 2026
-
Trump is basking in the glow of a high-profile summit with Xi.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Or, at least, distract us from the sensation of burning?—
Caroline Rose Giuliani,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
The fire has burned two historic structures on the island, which is home to rare plant species like the Torrey pine.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Even Republicans, who usually feigned ignorance about the President’s social-media outbursts, were weighing in.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
There was the occasional outburst as angry drivers leaned heavily on their horns, filling the peaceful meadow with a sudden blast of urban agita, but in general, things remained calm.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Rubin, with the exquisite detail of its images, is well placed to find these types of events, in which stars disappear in explosions that can be too faint for other surveys to see.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
15 May 2026
-
In New York City, the explosion of rideshare pickups and last-mile delivery overwhelmed curbside infrastructure built for a different era.—
Chase Garbarino,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Because a bright sky helps subdue Venus's glare, this is a good time to inspect the planet telescopically, though its gibbous disk remains rather small and approximately seven-eighths illuminated.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
-
But only briefly; the glare returned in a flash.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Subsequent throws easily carried the flaming spear upwards of 60 feet away.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
14 May 2026
-
An infinity-edge pool stretches toward the horizon, while expansive Ipe wood decks, flamed granite terraces, and an outdoor kitchen frame sweeping bay views.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
