flame 1 of 2

noun

ˈflām How to pronounce flame (audio)
Definition of flamenext
as in sweetheart
a person with whom one is in love decided to look up an old flame while she was in town

Synonyms & Similar Words

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flame

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to glow
to be on fire especially brightly guests gathered around as the Yule log flamed brightly in the inn's great stone fireplace

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2
as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently my anger flamed when the usher told my friend to shut up

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3
as in to burn
to shine with a bright harsh light the noonday sun flamed down on the desert travelers

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4
as in to gleam
to shoot forth bursts of light the actress's ruby necklace flamed dazzlingly under the bright lights

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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 flame
Noun
With wildfires burning across many Western states, wildland firefighters gathered Sunday to pay tribute to three of their own who died after they were trapped by flames a week ago. — Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 More than 500 personnel were on scene Saturday night to fight the flames, according to the incident management team. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
Verb
The Chicago Fire Department confirmed the flaming object was a cross, and said officials put out the fire. — ABC News, 9 June 2026 The clip ultimately evolved into a lo-fi vision of the Rapture, complete with giant flaming hands terrorizing the band. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for flame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flame
  1. sweetheart
  2. glow
  3. erupt
  4. burn
  5. gleam
  6. darling
  7. blaze
  8. explode
Noun
  • The book follows the relationship between Canadian sweetheart Shane Hollander and Russian bad boy Ilya Rosanov.
    — Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • One early triumph was an award-winning 1998 Moesha episode in which the titular teen, played by America’s R&B sweetheart Brandy, is prescribed birth control.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 29 June 2026
Definition of sweetheart
Verb
  • The glowing ribbon of the Milky Way tumbles directly through this cosmic triangle before arcing towards the southern horizon, though its diffuse light will be hidden behind a veil of moonlight on the night of the full moon.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 July 2026
  • Nobody writes a glowing reference for the person who stole their idea.
    — Jason Walker PsyD, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • Spontaneous applause erupted — and even some tears were shed — at the battered parking structure where Gil had been entombed since the two temblors struck within seconds of each other on June 24.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Anyone who thinks that the differences between these sects are minor is invited to read about the wars, massacres and persecutions that erupted between them in the 16th and 17th centuries.
    — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of erupt
Verb
  • According to Smith, citizens of East Florida even burned the leaders behind the Declaration of Independence in effigy.
    — Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • For decades, oceans have acted as the planet’s main heat sink, absorbing 90% of the excess heat produced by humans burning fossil fuels.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Definition of burn
Verb
  • An acre of gleaming stainless steel and people in white lab coats busily believing this.
    — Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • Manifest a championship victory with a gleaming chrome trophy manicure.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 June 2026
Definition of gleam
Noun
  • South Korea’s high-flying Kospi stock index, which is dominated by AI darlings SK Hynix, and Samsung, set a new record a few weeks ago only to suffer its fifth worst daily plunge ever days later.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • All eyes will be on Messi again as Argentina aims to knock off the tournament darling Cape Verde and advance to the Round of 16.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of darling
Verb
  • Known formally as 99942 Apophis, the space rock will not resemble a blazing meteor tearing through the sky.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 6 July 2026
  • Under the blazing sun on June 13, people strolled along Santana Row Makers Market to listen to music, shop and meet local craftsmakers.
    — Fatima Corona, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Definition of blaze
Verb
  • With no natural predators and the ability to breed year-round, their populations have exploded over the decades.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • In early January 2025, weeks after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down on the streets of New York City, a monstrous wildfire exploded in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
    — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Definition of explode

Phrases Containing flame

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flamboyantly
flame
flamed
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Cite this Entry

“Flame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flame. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flame

Nglish: Translation of flame for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flame

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