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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
But areas around the Guadalupe River have also long been prone to flash flooding, owing to the rugged terrain and the river’s non-absorbent limestone bed. Michelle Krupa, CNN Money, 7 July 2025 The type of clay-rich soil in the region contributes to the flash flooding because the clay soils do not easily absorb water and trigger high water runoff once wet. ABC News, 7 July 2025
Verb
Some of the violations also concern accusations that the company has outfitted its vehicles with flashing blue and red lights, in violation of state law. Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Shortly after being pulled over, two other unmarked vehicles appear on screen, also with flashing lights. Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 2 July 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 singer announced the surprise album less than 12 hours before its release, with billboards and a flurry of Instagram posts signaling its arrival.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
  • Conflicting accounts from workers and federal officials have raised a flurry of questions as DHS officials say their agents were shot at.
    Michelle Krupa, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The galaxy can be seen undergoing a burst of star formation thanks to the tidal influence of a galactic neighbor, with the glowing red form of an emission nebula visible throughout, giving the impression of a cosmic firework display.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 July 2025
  • This act of formality did not prevent an easy atmosphere from developing in our classrooms; there were frequent bursts of laughter.
    Brooke Allen, New Yorker, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente, about 10 minutes.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
  • That Champions League league-phase clash in Germany ended 1-0 to Bayern, with Kim Min-jae scoring the game’s only goal from a corner in the 38th minute.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • The movie plays the hits: Jesus’s birth in a Bethlehem stable; miracles including walking on water and the feeding of the 5,000; the crucifixion and resurrection.
    Chris DeVille, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
  • States would be responsible for them, and—miracle of miracles—state and federal agencies actually agreed on how to manage grizzlies after ESA protections end.
    Christine Peterson, Wired News, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • Only then can future World Cup’s begin to credibly deliver the basics of sustainability and safety, without the drama of sweat, storms, or scandal overshadowing the spectacle.
    Claire Poole, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • The quality of November’s war was only magnified in retrospect by the complete lack of substance in that evening’s main event: a snooze-fest spectacle between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.
    Mark Puleo, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Dressed in a Versace shirt and gleaming gold chain, Shakur was still out on bond, still basking in the glow of stardom, brushing off a violent altercation with a Crip gang member inside a Sin City casino that had transpired just hours earlier after a Mike Tyson boxing match.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 1 July 2025
  • That means, as Hercules, buoyant Brady is asked to present little beyond a sweet-natured, naive hunk celebrated for his gym membership and gleaming dentistry.
    David Benedict, Variety, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Sell By: This date, used for inventory management purposes, indicates how long the retailer should display the product for sale.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 July 2025
  • Oh well, that’s OK then, and doesn’t display any lack of proper validation of update integrity before release at all.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Check out Alila Ventana Big Sur for rustic luxury where the lush forest meets the coastal cliffs Garland Ranch Regional Park – In Carmel Valley, Garland Ranch Regional Park offers a scenic setting for gazing at the twinkling constellations in the serenity of the surrounding Santa Lucia Mountains.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Fellow porters huffing their way up a hillside; the stars twinkling above the desert sand; the layered waves of Caroline Polachek’s staggeringly beautiful title song cresting over the horizon at just the right moment.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Flash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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