flash·back
ˈflash-ˌbak 
1
: a recession of flame to an unwanted position (as into a blowpipe)
2
a
: interruption of chronological sequence (as in a film or literary work) by interjection of events of earlier occurrence
also
: an instance of flashback
b
: a past incident recurring vividly in the mind
flashed back; flashing back; flashes back
1
: to focus one's mind on or vividly remember a past time or incident
—usually used with to
flashed back to my childhood
2
: to employ a flashback (as in a film)
—usually used with to
Synonyms
Examples of flashback in a Sentence
Noun
The character's childhood was described in a series of flashbacks.
He's having flashbacks of his days in the war.
Verb
the scent made me flash back to the days of my mother's home-cooked Sunday dinners
Recent Examples on the Web
Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
The decision to exclude the protagonist’s earlier life works overall, though a couple of brief flashbacks to childhood traumas raise so many unanswered questions, they might better have been omitted entirely.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025
Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, Hyland's new campaign images also have fun flashes back to her Candie's ads from years ago, such as the one below where she's seen biking with Adams.
—Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flashback 
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.
Noun
The minimal plot purports to endorse spartan storytelling, but after a promising start the movie detours into an overlong flashback.
—Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
The decision to exclude the protagonist’s earlier life works overall, though a couple of brief flashbacks to childhood traumas raise so many unanswered questions, they might better have been omitted entirely.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
Before flashing back to follow a young Dexter (played by Patrick Gibson), the prequel series opened up in present day immediately following the events of New Blood.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, Hyland's new campaign images also have fun flashes back to her Candie's ads from years ago, such as the one below where she's seen biking with Adams.
—Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flashback
Articles Related to flashback
Dictionary Entries Near flashback
Cite this Entry
“Flashback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flashback. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flashback
noun
flash·back
ˈflash-ˌbak
1
: the introduction of a past event into a story or motion picture
also
: this past event
2
: a past incident recurring clearly in the mind
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share