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flash

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verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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flash

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adjective

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
Even through the metallic glow of my phone screen, the energy felt feral and somewhat romantic, a blur of cropped T-shirts, digital camera flashes, and college students climbing trees or lampposts under the setting sun. Ashliene McMenamy, Allure, 17 May 2025 Both men were prone to flashes of brilliance, ultimately lost in a haze of injury and apathy. Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
Jovic, who was taken by the Heat with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 Draft, flashed his upside after moving to a bench role this past season. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025 The bride-to-be has increasingly been flashing her engagement ring online, most recently wearing it in a photo posted on Instagram on May 12. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025 The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank. Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for flash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash
Noun
  • The news spread quickly, and the prospect of IDR payments doubling or tripling for some married borrowers led to a flurry of questions, distress on social media, and even talk of extreme measures.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • In a flurry of diplomatic developments over the weekend, Russia shunned the ceasefire proposal tabled by the U.S. and European leaders, but offered direct talks with Ukraine on Thursday.
    Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • The pair hoped to make progress against urea-cycle disorders – inherited metabolic problems, like KJ’s that leave young children vulnerable to bursts of damaging ammonia.
    Karen Weintraub, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • The 23-year-old has the raw materials to become a decent striker, including a decent burst of acceleration, but needs to play more to develop, which might not happen at Barca.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Related Articles But an explosive seven minutes clinched the Panthers’ victory, sending Florida to its third straight Eastern Conference final with a 6-1 win over the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025
  • But with just minutes to spare, Eric Hosmer came to terms with the Royals.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • The heroic game five effort from the Celtics felt like the start of a miracle.
    Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • To top that, 2001 Miami would’ve needed to obliterate everything on its schedule, not require a bouncy miracle to beat Boston College.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Nearly seven years since her last US tour, Shakira and her famous hips returned with a massive spectacle.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • The congressman sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, accusing him of prioritizing personal spectacle and showing admiration for authoritarian leaders.
    Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Infused with a generous amount of hydrating passion fruit oil and softening fig-pulp extract, the bullet glides on effortlessly, leaving behind hydrated lips with a layer of gorgeous, gleaming color on top.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 15 May 2025
  • Skip Sprays and Shines While gleaming leaves look great, synthetic leaf shine sprays are likely to do more harm than good.
    Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • The artists’ works will be displayed at the Tribeca Festival Hub at Spring Studios throughout the festival before being presented to this year’s festival award winners.
    Marc Malkin, Variety, 20 May 2025
  • Like Leads and Contacts, Insightly displays Opportunities in a table by default.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • As evening sets in, grab a front-row seat by the water to catch the sunset, then cozy up under twinkling café lights with a s’mores kit in hand, perfect for roasting around the resort’s firepit.
    Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
  • Note that this is why planets typically don’t twinkle.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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