flare-up

noun

ˈfler-ˌəp 

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

Synonyms

• burst
• flare
• flash
• flicker
• flurry
• flutter
• outbreak
• outburst
• spurt

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

But that has not prevented flare-ups over provenances in the years since. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Feb. 2025

There are many environmental factors that could trigger a flare-up of eczema; this will always differ from person to person, says Gordon. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025

My fixation with my hands kicked off a few months back, after an eczema flare-up on my knuckles. —Victoria Moorhouse, Allure, 13 Feb. 2025

Image Ahead of the recent rise in food prices, economists were already on edge about further flare-ups in prices stemming from Mr. Trump’s tariffs. —Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

-ˌəp 

: a sudden appearance or worsening of the symptoms of a disease or condition

an asthmatic flare-up