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Definition of flashnext
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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

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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

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

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
Storms could also cause isolated hail and flash flooding, and tornadoes were possible. Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026 Damaging winds and some large hail will be the main threat, but a tornado and some isolated flash flooding cannot be ruled out. Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
Becerra flashed his biggest smile of the night. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 And the same warning signs are flashing with his profile too. Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Many fish, like salmon, are flash-frozen shortly after being caught, locking in freshness. Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026 Campaign ads, showing images of flash-mob robberies, promised voters that harsher penalties would put an end to basic items being locked away in display cases and funnel people repeatedly arrested for drug offenses in treatment. Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash
Noun
  • The Public Service Commission has approved a flurry of rate hikes in recent years as private utilities grapple with maintaining profits while improving infrastructure in a mountainous, sparsely populated state.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The latest adaptation of the action video game series is uppercutting its way into theaters, kicking off the summer blockbuster season with a flurry of powerful punches.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The verdant burst is always welcome after a dreary winter, and the bright, fresh flavors of spring vegetables are like a breath of fresh air on the table, too.
    Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The Thunder took control with an early 17-2 burst.
    Doug Haller, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Anna Moorhouse The goalkeeper is getting regular minutes for Orlando Pride and also started in the 8-0 win over China in November, so seems Hampton’s backup.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Clutch scoring is defined as points that come in the final five minutes of a game where the point differential between teams is five or less.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • To encompass the story, about a miracle from 847, when Pope Leo IV stopped a fire with a blessing, Raphael brings you into the fresco through the unshod feet of a woman in agony and leaves you near the very back, with a tiny and serene Leo IV.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • And yet, even in the depths of loss, Kim came to see the voyage itself as a miracle – proof that survival could lead to something more.
    Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Vince wrote his and Linda’s adult children, Shane and Stephanie, into the spectacle.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • When robots lurched, slipped, and occasionally froze mid-stride at the 2026 Beijing half-marathon on April 19, the internet quickly turned the spectacle into a meme.
    Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Thirteen-year-old boys flashing smiles over their birthday cakes, gleaming with happiness in the buttery glow of the candles.
    Jesmyn Ward, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026
  • With just some warm water, dish soap and a little patience, your window screens can go from grimy to gleaming in an afternoon.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • On Marathon Monday, the company stationed the robot at its 888 Boylston Street showroom in Boston, displaying it in front of thousands of runners from roughly 130 countries, as well as hundreds of thousands of spectators.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026
  • But the Kohler Foundation, recognizing his creations as powerful visuals of African American history and especially the experiences of Black veterans, purchased hundreds of pieces – documenting, displaying and distributing them to be appreciated across the country and beyond.
    Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Before a big night out or even just dinner with friends, lids twinkled, cheekbones caught the light from every angle, and lip gloss doubled as a mirror.
    Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Jumeirah is the closest beach to Downtown, and the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa still loom large, best viewed from the rooftop Mercury Lounge, with its Arabian archways framing the twinkling city.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Flash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/flash. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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