1
as in volcano
a potentially explosive place or situation
that troubled region remains one of the world's most dangerous flash points
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
tensions between the two longtime adversaries were at a flash point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flash point
While use of the Latin Mass remains a flash point, a controversy in the rapidly growing Diocese of Charlotte, N.C., has raised questions about the status of other liturgical traditions and symbols.
—
Arkansas Online, 7 June 2025
Who would have thought Oklahoma City would become a flash point of foot fashion.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Changes to Medicaid benefits and new work requirements will mean higher healthcare costs and less eligibility, creating a flash point in the broader debate over the bill.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2025
The June 14 event is shaping up as a flash point for tensions between Trump's critics and supporters.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Arkansas Online, 7 June 2025
Who would have thought Oklahoma City would become a flash point of foot fashion.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Changes to Medicaid benefits and new work requirements will mean higher healthcare costs and less eligibility, creating a flash point in the broader debate over the bill.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2025
The June 14 event is shaping up as a flash point for tensions between Trump's critics and supporters.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
Noun
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The devastation following the volcano’s famous eruption in 79 CE is well-documented across multiple archeological sites at Pompeii, Herculaneum, and elsewhere.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
16 July 2025
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Wetlands need restoration to once again catch phosphorus that pours from extinct volcanoes and prevent the growth of deadly algae.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Things happen, our heroes react, a potentially world-ending crisis is easily averted and everything is wrapped up in time for dinner.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Yet this rift still coincides with a deepening fiscal crisis.—
Joël Té-Léssia Assoko,
semafor.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Krypto flying the time bomb into the sky causes an explosion that sends a plane veering out of control.—
Darren Franich,
Vulture,
16 July 2025
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The combination of financial illiteracy and problematic money management leads many to be unaware of the ticking time bombs which underlie their financial circumstances.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Noun
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The sheriff’s simmering anger, which reaches boiling point as a result of Eddington’s growing air of claustrophobia and his own loosening grip on his life, leads to Cross assassinating Garcia.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
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As the summer temperatures reach a boiling point, numerous artists — from Alex Warren to BTS — are turning up the heat with new releases.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
18 July 2025
Noun
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Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.—
J. Harry Jones,
Ramona Sentinel,
19 July 2017
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There's always one shot that leaves a golfer shaking his or her head.—
Mike Hutton,
Post-Tribune,
19 July 2017
Noun
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No one wins when the family feuds as Jackie and Chantel reach their breaking point.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
24 July 2025
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But excessive borrowing and speculation brought the sector to a breaking point.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 July 2025
Noun
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But a series of lousy draft picks and a lack of an attractive infrastructure — that imaginary permanent practice facility is being built any day now! — have kept them from acquiring the sort of superstars that carry teams in crunch time, the kind of difference-makers this town deserves.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2025
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In crunch time, the Thunder successfully countered the Pacers’ blitzing coverage on the MVP by having Williams sit in the weak-side slot.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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