Synonyms of flash

flash 1 of 3

noun

1

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

• flurry
• burst
• flicker
• flutter
• outburst
• flare
• surge
• outbreak
• spurt
• increase
• eruption
• boost
• flood
• explosion
• renewal
• flare-up
• recurrence
• pickup
• upturn
• rush
• recrudescence
• spree
• upswing
• volley
• paroxysm
• deluge
• epidemic
• binge
• commotion
• spate
• jag
• furor
• uproar

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slump
• calm
• doldrums

2

as in burst

a sudden intense expression of strong feeling

a much-needed flash of humor during the otherwise boring lecture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• burst
• explosion
• outburst
• eruption
• blaze
• flare
• gust
• flush
• spasm
• gale
• storm
• fit
• frenzy
• paroxysm
• gush
• agony
• ebullition
• rage
• flare-up
• tantrum
• ecstasy
• transport
• rapture
• blowup
• firestorm
• delirium
• furor
• grouch

3

as in minute

a very small space of time

the shower will be over in a flash

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minute
• second
• heartbeat
• moment
• instant
• twinkle
• twinkling
• nanosecond
• trice
• split second
• wink
• jiffy
• shake
• beat
• eyeblink
• jiff
• microsecond
• New York minute
• snatch
• spurt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• eternity
• age
• forever
• lifetime
• infinity
• aeon
• eon

4

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

• miracle
• marvel
• wonder
• phenomenon
• sensation
• prodigy
• beauty
• splendor
• portent
• caution
• spectacle
• sight
• crackajack
• curiosity
• appearance
• knockout
• apparition
• crackerjack
• corker
• dandy
• jim-dandy

5

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spectacle
• glitz
• decoration
• pomp
• ornamentation
• flamboyance
• flashiness
• ostentation
• swank
• gaudiness
• fanfare
• parade
• luxuriance
• luxuriousness
• dressing
• garishness
• showiness
• adornment
• dazzle
• show
• ostentatiousness
• pretence
• pretentiousness
• extravaganza
• pretense
• trimming
• pageant
• pageantry
• éclat
• mummery
• richness
• embellishment
• razzmatazz
• magnificence
• razzle-dazzle
• garnishment
• opulence
• sumptuousness
• extravagance
• vulgarity
• foofaraw
• luridness
• fanciness
• tawdriness
• meretriciousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• severity
• restraint
• simplicity
• austerity
• plainness
• moderation
• modesty
• elegance
• understatement
• conservativeness
• gracefulness
• minimalism
• tastefulness

flash

2 of 3

verb

ˈflash 

1

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

• gleam
• glint
• shimmer
• glitter
• sparkle
• shine
• twinkle
• glow
• glisten
• flame
• glimmer
• glance
• lustre
• wink
• scintillate
• beam
• glister
• coruscate
• spangle
• luster
• winkle
• flare
• dazzle
• blind
• radiate
• glare
• blaze
• burn
• daze
• bedazzle

2

as in to display

to present so as to invite notice or attention

flashed a wad of cash as he paid for his dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• display
• show
• exhibit
• wave
• expose
• produce
• parade
• unveil
• show off
• announce
• strut
• sport
• flaunt
• lay out
• reveal
• advertise
• air
• broadcast
• proclaim
• flourish
• post
• disport
• tell (of)
• sound
• blaze
• publicize
• discover
• brandish
• bare
• herald
• divulge
• trumpet
• talk (about)
• placard
• uncover
• unmask
• uncloak

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mask
• camouflage
• disguise
• curtain
• hide
• cover
• conceal
• obscure
• veil
• occlude
• shroud
• occult
• enshroud

3

as in to twinkle

to shine with light at regular intervals

the disco lights flashed, and the revelers danced

Synonyms & Similar Words

• twinkle
• flicker
• flare
• blink
• sparkle
• glint
• wink
• shimmer
• glitter
• glimmer
• spark
• glisten
• glance
• scintillate
• glister
• coruscate
• spangle

4

as in to publish

to make known openly or publicly

flashed the news of the royal birth around the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

• publish
• announce
• declare
• proclaim
• post
• advertise
• broadcast
• sound
• run with
• blaze
• release
• publicize
• disclose
• promulgate
• herald
• blare
• give out
• trumpet
• promote
• annunciate
• reveal
• beat the drum (for or about)
• placard
• spread
• show
• enunciate
• report
• bulletin
• call (off or out)
• blazon
• disseminate
• ring
• cry
• feature
• bark
• puff
• introduce
• plug
• toll
• billboard
• impart
• notify
• inform
• manifest
• bill
• knell
• communicate
• divulge
• hand down
• blurb
• kithe
• gazette
• pitch
• intimate
• apprise
• advise

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conceal
• suppress
• silence
• withhold
• recall
• revoke
• hush (up)
• retract
• recant

flash

3 of 3

adjective

as in brief

lasting only for a short time

flash floods in the local area

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brief
• temporary
• passing
• transient
• momentary
• fleeting
• short
• evanescent
• transitory
• ephemeral
• little
• deciduous
• fugitive
• short-lived
• fugacious
• impermanent
• acting
• short-term
• interim
• shortish
• provisional

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permanent
• eternal
• lasting
• everlasting
• endless
• enduring
• perpetual
• unending
• timeless
• immortal
• undying
• deathless
• ceaseless
• persistent
• lifelong
• durable
• continuing
• long-lived
• dateless
• indestructible
• imperishable
• indefectible

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

Recent Examples of flash

Noun

Eleven years have passed since Kelly Durrett’s husband died, but there are flashes when those 11 years hit more like 11 seconds. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025

Young has shown true flashes of brilliance. —Mike Kaye september 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025

Verb

Another AccuWeather meteorologist, Tyler Roys, said rainfall of as much as four to eight inches is possible in the eastern and northern Big Island and northern Maui from mid-to-late next week, an amount that could potentially lead to flash flooding or mudslides. —Solcyré Burga, Time, 4 Sep. 2025

Archie the coach strides past my possie and flashes me a smile. —Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 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

Phrases Containing flash

• flash back (to)
• flash point