flash 1 of 3

noun

Definition of flashnext
1
as in flurry
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

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2
as in burst
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a much-needed flash of humor during the otherwise boring lecture

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3
as in minute
a very small space of time the shower will be over in a flash

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in miracle
something extraordinary or surprising the new goalie for our hockey team was apparently quite a flash in his hometown

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5
as in spectacle
excessive or unnecessary display the expensive clothes, the luxury cars, and other apparent signs of success are all flash that belie the fact that the family is up to its ears in debt

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flash

2 of 3

verb

ˈflash How to pronounce flash (audio)
1
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light the actress's diamond necklace flashed as she hurried on stage to accept the award

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2
as in to display
to present so as to invite notice or attention flashed a wad of cash as he paid for his dinner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to twinkle
to shine with light at regular intervals the disco lights flashed, and the revelers danced

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4
as in to publish
to make known openly or publicly flashed the news of the royal birth around the world

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flash

3 of 3

adjective

as in brief
lasting only for a short time flash floods in the local area

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flash contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flash are gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When is it sensible to use gleam instead of flash?

Although the words gleam and flash have much in common, gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When could glimmer be used to replace flash?

The words glimmer and flash are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

Where would glint be a reasonable alternative to flash?

While in some cases nearly identical to flash, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When would glisten be a good substitute for flash?

While the synonyms glisten and flash are close in meaning, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

In what contexts can glitter take the place of flash?

The synonyms glitter and flash are sometimes interchangeable, but glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When can shimmer be used instead of flash?

The words shimmer and flash can be used in similar contexts, but shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When might sparkle be a better fit than flash?

The meanings of sparkle and flash largely overlap; however, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

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 flash
Noun
And though the devil may wear Prada, Anne Hathaway wears Ralph Lauren, arriving to camera flashes in a sheer black ruffled lace halter dress, with a daring low back and topped with a chocolate brown feather coat and black cowboy boots. —Anika Reed, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026 Tre’ Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, picked last year in the draft, showed flashes during their rookie seasons. —Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Fear gauges are flashing warning signs. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026 Video footage by a local news site showed at least one person being carried in a blanket from a boat moored on the side of a jetty into a waiting coast guard vehicle with blue flashing lights, as others appear to lead two children, one of them limping, toward the car. —CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The National Weather Service has been criticized for underforecasting rainfall; local officials, for inadequate warning systems; and state leaders, for failing to prioritize stronger infrastructure and public education on flash-flood risks. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 6 Sep. 2025 What To Know A map shared by the NWS on Facebook showed a broad corridor of flash-flood risk spanning the Western states and Southern Plains. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash
  1. flurry
  2. burst
  3. minute
  4. miracle
  5. spectacle
  6. gleam
  7. display
  8. twinkle
Noun
  • Her voice is intimate and resonant, whether cut up into indistinct background flurries or pushed to the front of the mix.
    — Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The idea has spawned a flurry of products which are helping their customers resist the temptation of automatically picking up their phone and scrolling social media during any and every lull in the day.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • The beloved Lip Sleeping Mask is a treat for lips thanks to a burst of coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru seed butter that deliver serious moisture overnight.
    — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
  • There will be a burst in there at some point.
    — Mike Sando, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • Just a few minutes ago, Juan Pablo Guanipa was kidnapped in the Los Chorros urbanization in Caracas.
    — Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The 30-second Super Bowl version manages to capture most of the ridiculousness of the lengthier, two-and-a-half-minute version directed by Spike Jonze, which feels as silly and committed as any of your favorite Stiller comedy moments.
    — Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of minute
Noun
  • This current restoration feels like a miracle.
    — Coley Gallagher, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
  • With vivid stories and unforgettable characters, this behind-the-scenes account is a must-read for hockey fans and believers in miracles.
    — Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of miracle
Noun
  • All the pomp and circumstance without the promise of a worthy spectacle.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The dancing was kinetic and unrelenting, the show studded with myriad Easter eggs reflecting his heritage, the spectacle one of the most bracing and heartfelt the NFL has hosted in recent history.
    — Jason Lamphier, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of spectacle
Verb
  • The rooms Supremely comfy, with no gimmicky surprises — just proper, old-school amenities, the plumpest beds and (16 types of) pillows, and gleaming bathrooms decked in mottled marble.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
  • This budget-friendly dish soap will get your dishes gleaming.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of gleam
Verb
  • The No Vigilantes Act required any law enforcement officer operating in California to visibly display identification, including the name of their agency and their name or badge number, except in undercover and other specific scenarios.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
  • For several months, a mysterious sign displayed in the windows of vacant storefront in Shorewood has intrigued passersby along Capitol Drive.
    — Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of display
Verb
  • Coakley’s eyes twinkled with a sense of pride.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The team Pep Guardiola built in the early 2010s, combining the wonderful passing of Xavi Hernandez and Andrés Iniesta with the twinkling magic of Lionel Messi, will forever be remembered.
    — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of twinkle

Phrases Containing flash

Browse Nearby Words

flaring (up)
flash
flashback
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Cite this Entry

“Flash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flash

Nglish: Translation of flash for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flash

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