flare (up) 1 of 2

verb

Definition of flare (up)next
1
as in to anger
to become very angry naturally I flared up when he insulted me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to erupt
to develop suddenly and violently my allergies always flare up in the spring

Synonyms & Similar Words

flare-up

2 of 2

noun

ˈfler-ˌəp How to pronounce flare-up (audio)
1
as in flurry
a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity took medication to prevent a flare-up of her asthma

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling there's no need for an angry flare-up, as we'll take care of the problem immediately

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 (up)
Noun
There have been verbal flare-ups in previous meetings between Medvedev and Tsitsipas down the years, including in the Australian Open semifinals in 2022. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Over the decades, as Shakur’s stature grew and evolved, there were flare-ups of media interest and theories but no conclusions or arrests. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 The sun’s intense flare-ups had put the telescope on a downward spiral faster than engineers anticipated. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026 The sun's intense flare-ups had put the telescope on a downward spiral faster than engineers anticipated. — Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flare (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flare (up)
  1. anger
  2. erupt
  3. flurry
  4. explosion
  5. snarl
  6. explode
  7. burst
  8. outburst
Verb
  • Data center demand began driving up electric bills last year across a 13-state electricity grid stretching from Illinois to New Jersey and Maryland, angering ratepayers.
    — Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Indeed, the survey showed that use of the horn is the most common action when drivers consider another driver to be annoying or angering them.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of anger
Verb
  • As dusk fell Saturday, violence erupted at the end of some of the 289 protests counted by the Interior Ministry nationwide.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Dorgham Halasa told the AP that intense gunfire erupted in the church some 15 minutes after the funeral service began.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of erupt
Noun
  • The interview in The Bookman had inaugurated what turned into a flurry of correspondence with his old clerk in the spring of 1892.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Despite a flurry of beauty M&A activity in 2025 — a record 384 deals globally, to be specific — average deal value is on the decline.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of flurry
Noun
  • Using the Gemini North telescope, Caiazzo and colleagues zoomed in on Pa 30, discovering knots along the strands of gas radiating out from the site of the cosmic explosion, like pearls on a string.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The explosion was set off in front of the local branch of Colombia's tax collection agency near the Francisco de Paula de Santander International bridge.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of explosion
Verb
  • Kerry McCoy’s guitar juices up a mid-song gallop by abruptly pivoting from big and noisy to compressed and snarling; at the climax, everything cuts out for a second to spotlight a Daniel Tracy drum fill.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Stepping into the band’s lead guitarist role was Nick Johnston, a forceful presence delivering crisp musical phrases that could be fittingly elegant or snarling.
    — Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of snarl
Verb
  • Riley then capped the game with just over 6 minutes left, hitting the outside lane to explode for a 72-yard touchdown run and the final 31-10 lead.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Blue dials have been a favorite among watchmakers (and collectors) for decades, but the sheer variety of hues coming out of Switzerland has exploded in recent years.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of explode
Noun
  • Berg, working with DP Jacques Jouffret, favors close shots that force us to experience battle much like our heroes do, as confusing, terrifying bursts of mayhem.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The heaviness comes from the fact that the artist died in April, at age forty-six, but it’s also embedded in the paintings on view—in the bursts of fire and swirling floods that mark them.
    — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • Rushing went through a learning curve juggling his defensive and offensive responsibilities, and navigating intense online scrutiny of his outbursts on the field and in the dugout.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • From harassing Brady over his divorce from Gisele Bündchen on social media to trying to be a rapper and much more, Brown’s post-football life has been one filled with public outbursts and controversial statements and stunts.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of outburst

Browse Nearby Words

flares (up)
flare (up)
flare-up
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Cite this Entry

“Flare (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flare%20%28up%29. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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