FLASH Synonyms: 327 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

flash 1 of 3

noun

Definition of flash

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in burst

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in minute

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in miracle

something extraordinary or surprising the new goalie for our hockey team was apparently quite a flash in his hometown

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to display

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

as in to twinkle

to shine with light at regular intervals the disco lights flashed, and the revelers danced

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to publish

to make known openly or publicly flashed the news of the royal birth around the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Fault currents, which can fry components and cause dangerous arc flashes, are one challenge, requiring new protection measures and solid-state circuit breakers. — Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 But when Cook finally got his turn in the 2024 season, the run game was mostly unproductive despite the flashes Cook showed during the offseason. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

During the summer, a digital billboard near the Trotters’ house flashed a Ruidoso promotion. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 The greatest threat to the Phoenix metro area is heavy rainfall and flash flooding tonight and Thursday morning, said Mark O’Malley, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Phoenix. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Adjective

For example, there is a greater focus on workwear that can address flash-fire hazards while also functioning as everyday task wear. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026 Don’t miss Alcopop’s Black Mango Watermelon, Seongju Chamoe and Watermelon Ice Pop; Matcha Latte, with flash-frozen local herbs and a hand-cut ice diamond; and Journey, a concoction that maps a tomato’s global odyssey. — Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for flash

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash

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

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

The re-emergence of a long-unseen Jean-Michel Basquiat masterpiece is a miracle the art market occasionally performs.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
On Saturday, with the usual early season smattering of fans lost in the cavernous Yale Bowl, Dante Reno didn’t have another comeback or miracle game in him.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of miracle

Verb

There’s a gleaming hospital and a string of new downtown spots to supplement The Bar, the beloved dive that was supposedly among the inspirations for the Patch Café in the TV series Landman, which is set here.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
In others, the walls are paneled in a gleaming hardwood, which sets off the furniture, upholstered in black and dark-gray velvets.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of gleam

Verb

Once everything is organized, PocketWise displays upcoming payments on a subscription calendar and sends renewal reminders before charges are due.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026
Blocked from public view for nine years, the mural was finally displayed in 1957.

— David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of display

Verb

The vast auditorium offered a sense of intimacy with floating clouds and twinkling lights like a visitor would still see at the Music Box Theatre in Lakeview today.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Guests then gathered in the gardens for cocktails before moving to an outdoor dinner reception beneath a canopy of twinkling string lights.

— Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of twinkle

Cite this Entry

Style

“Flash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of flash

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Synonyms of flash

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verb

adjective

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