flareup
Americannoun
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a sudden flaring up of flame or light.
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a sudden outburst or intensification, as of anger or tensions.
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a sudden outbreak of violence, disease, or any other condition thought to be quelled, checked, or inactive.
Etymology
Origin of flareup
First recorded in 1830–40; noun use of verb phrase flare up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Also weighing on talks are Trump's trade wars, notably the recent tit-for-tat flareup with Canada, while observers monitor if the G20 can still work together to address big economic challenges.
From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026
The political flareup came after firefighters were called to the property Wednesday, where Ledsworth said he saw flames as high as 20 feet.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
Yet barring a massive flareup in violence in the Middle East and another spike in oil prices, the latest bout of inflation is unlikely to get much worse.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 10, 2026
Another flareup in inflation has raised business costs and pared customer demand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
It bloomed best, most sublimely, in the middle of an emotional flareup of just this kind.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
