flare-up

noun

1
: a sudden outburst or intensification
a flare-up of hostilities
2
: a sudden bursting (as of a smoldering fire) into flame or light
a danger of flare-ups
3
: a sudden appearance or worsening of the symptoms of a disease or condition
an asthmatic flare-up

Examples of flare-up in a Sentence

took medication to prevent a flare-up of her asthma there's no need for an angry flare-up, as we'll take care of the problem immediately
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Firefighters from other states, Canada, and Mexico have joined efforts to contain flare-ups and prevent new fires. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 Recognizing the cause of the flare-ups can prevent them from erupting. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2025 The next 24 hours became an all-out attack of air resources, with enough helicopters responding to the fire’s flare-up that the choppers were, at times, lined up, just waiting for orders to make their next drop. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025 The monarch, 87, was taken to Lillehammer Hospital on Jan. 11 after incurring a flare-up of her existing heart condition while skiing, Sweden Herald reported. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for flare-up 

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flare-up was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near flare-up

Cite this Entry

“Flare-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flare-up. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

flare-up

noun
ˈfla(ə)r-ˌəp,
ˈfle(ə)r-
: a sudden burst (as of flame or anger)

Medical Definition

flare-up

noun
: a sudden appearance or worsening of the symptoms of a disease or condition
an asthmatic flare-up
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!