flare
verb (used without object)
to burn with an unsteady, swaying flame, as a torch or candle in the wind.
were flaring
-
past progressiveof flare.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The following season, after a contract holdout, McCool returned to play 22 games but his ulcers were flaring up, his performance declined and the Leafs weren’t thrilled he’d asked for $500 more salary.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 10, 2021
Even before the meeting got underway, tempers were flaring on Capitol Hill.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 6, 2020
“My depression and anxiety were flaring up,” Fetcher said.
From Slate ● May 6, 2020
By now my heavy-set bottom lip had fainted on the cement, my eyes were popping from their sockets, and my nostrils were flaring as wide as the Blackwall Tunnel.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 17, 2017
His head was tilted back and his nostrils were flaring.
From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
