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 next

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

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as in minute

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

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to twinkle

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

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as in to publish

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

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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

Video from a minute later showed two quick flashes and caught the sound of an explosion as the fire visibly grew throughout the mansion. —

Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2025 Torrential rain and heavy winds that could likely trigger further flash flooding are forecast to last through Monday, the bureau said. —

Helen Regan, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025

Verb

Childhood photos of Eilish and Finneas, who grew up in the Highland Park neighborhood of L.A., flashed across the screen and blended in with the mountain vistas. —

Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025 Sometimes, the same group flashes its inexperience. —

Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025

Adjective

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 Residents who live near the intersection where the accident occurred said the flash mobs of street takeovers have become weekly occurrences in their neighborhood. —

Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 See all Example Sentences for flash

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash

Noun

After a slow start to free agency, the Valkyries have made a flurry of moves.

— Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
This year is expected to see a flurry of activity in the area.

— Ina Fried, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025

Definition of flurry

Cite this Entry

Style

“Flash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

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Last Updated: 17 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of flash

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