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
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 flashes
Jay Harris, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Blurry images of body-camera footage from the encounter, shared by the DA, show muzzle flashes and the suspect holding something in his hand noted to be a gun.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Beyond the Guthrie situation, darker flashes of geopolitical tension kept surfacing throughout the broadcast like intrusive thoughts.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2026
Then, someone seems to swipe up, and the clip depicting the Obamas as apes flashes into focus.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
The spot opens in space as an alert flashes that America is low on fiber.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
And, along with Naz Reid and Bones Hyland — who has shown flashes of late — Minnesota could have a sound top eight with which to move toward the postseason.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
There were encouraging flashes — such as his Royals debut at Kauffman Stadium — but things ultimately got sidetracked.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2026
Darnold endured more growing pains during his rookie season but also showed flashes of excellence, including throwing three touchdown passes in a duel with Aaron Rodgers during an overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Jessica then zooms in on her husband, who flashes her a toothy smile.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
As the trailer flashes through some of the most intense scenes from the show, among them is the moment where Dani is carried out by production after suffering from dehydration during the season.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The mysterious crime family flashes across the screen with John Noble and Luke Kirby portraying certain members.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 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
Noun
Buoyed by last weekend’s second-half performance in their 2-2 draw with Manchester City, Spurs showed flashes of promise before their leader was sent off.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Blurry images of body-camera footage from the encounter, shared by the DA, show muzzle flashes and the suspect holding something in his hand noted to be a gun.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Beyond the Guthrie situation, darker flashes of geopolitical tension kept surfacing throughout the broadcast like intrusive thoughts.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2026
Then, someone seems to swipe up, and the clip depicting the Obamas as apes flashes into focus.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
The spot opens in space as an alert flashes that America is low on fiber.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
And, along with Naz Reid and Bones Hyland — who has shown flashes of late — Minnesota could have a sound top eight with which to move toward the postseason.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
There were encouraging flashes — such as his Royals debut at Kauffman Stadium — but things ultimately got sidetracked.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2026
Darnold endured more growing pains during his rookie season but also showed flashes of excellence, including throwing three touchdown passes in a duel with Aaron Rodgers during an overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
Outside, the world flashes by, a slideshow of rivers growing into oceans, deserts rising into mountains and cities sprawling then receding into darkness as the train thunders on through the night.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Jessica then zooms in on her husband, who flashes her a toothy smile.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
As the trailer flashes through some of the most intense scenes from the show, among them is the moment where Dani is carried out by production after suffering from dehydration during the season.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The mysterious crime family flashes across the screen with John Noble and Luke Kirby portraying certain members.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flashes
Noun
-
Also, some bursts showed strong circular polarization, a signal characteristic of magnetic processes.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Hulu has steadily built a library of bold, thought-provoking miniseries that have managed to entertain audiences in short bursts.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Flaring involves burning off residual vapors or gases in a safe manner to depressurize them and prevent explosions or accidents.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
On Saturday, Atallah Abu Hadaiyed heard explosions in Gaza City during his morning prayers and ran outside to find his cousins lying on the ground as flames curled around them.—
Sam Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Duren had the ball and was driving toward the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third period when he was fouled by Diabate.—
Steve Reed,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The tense conversation continued for several minutes before a peculiar discrepancy popped up.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Throw in the love of a good woman, an old-school workout program, and a belief in miracles, and these two will manage to go the distance.—
Lisa Rosen,
Los Angeles Times,
11 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
Verb
-
Like Beckham’s dress, the 100-percent silk dress softly gleams in the light.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
-
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.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The commercial started with the team’s helmet, which prominently displays the Cadillac logo and team name above the visor.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Our own Metropolitan Museum displays a copy of that swollen right-hand — cast in bronze for Saint-Gaudens in the 1880s.—
Harold Holzer,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the city's beloved staple of outdoor theater announces its 66th season of productions, Matt Wallace, producing artistic director of Kentucky Shakespeare, reminds the community of how the program has grown into more than simply a night of theater.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Close-up Photographer of the Year announces 2025 winner A trippy image of a coral, a huge swarm of mayflies and a ravenous spider were among the winners of the Close-up Photographer of the Year award.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Worst case scenario is that Baltimore metro receives a few flurries with up to a trace of snow.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Snow flurries in Jacksonville Why is Groundhog Day celebrated?—
Doris Alvarez Cea,
Florida Times-Union,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flashes. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
