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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flash point
As Trump, in collaboration with Elon Musk, has embarked on efforts to decimate the federal government, public political gatherings—in particular, appearances by Republicans in their home districts—have become flash points for an angry citizenry.
—
Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
The report identified specific flash points, including cross-border water tensions, and said some countries could experience instability, including from straining food and energy systems.
—Somini Sengupta, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
The move comes after Republican officials ramped up efforts to turn the 2021 order into a partisan flash point ahead of the 2024 election.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
What had been an inconvenience in one direction is now a blockage for both, a potential flash point.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
The report identified specific flash points, including cross-border water tensions, and said some countries could experience instability, including from straining food and energy systems.
—Somini Sengupta, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
The move comes after Republican officials ramped up efforts to turn the 2021 order into a partisan flash point ahead of the 2024 election.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025
What had been an inconvenience in one direction is now a blockage for both, a potential flash point.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
Noun
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Smith has also flown to the base of a volcano to facilitate a caribou hunt and was dropped off by floatplane onto a mountain lake for kayaking.—
Julia Boatman,
Robb Report,
12 Apr. 2025
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During his career, Marciano has covered nearly every major natural disaster experienced in the United States, including floods, tornadoes, blizzards, and erupting volcanos in Hawaii.—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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That’s a stark contrast to Ange Postecoglou’s high-intensity pressing style at Tottenham Hotspur, which is often cited as one of the reasons behind Spurs’ injury crisis and subsequent poor form this season.—
Steve Price,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Health workers are on the frontlines of disease, crises, and war, tirelessly working to save lives.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Mendoza said those problems include the ticking time bomb that is the city budget’s structural deficit and how that could spell an adverse effect on Pritzker and the rest of state government.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
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With malicious bots continuously scanning the internet for open endpoints, an unprotected app is a ticking time bomb.—
Gerry Gebel,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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So while the sun can heat the water enough to brew tea, the water isn’t reaching a simmer or boiling point, which would kill harmful bacteria.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
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The issue reached a boiling point last fall with the in-rapid-succession deaths of actors Maggie Smith, Gavin Creel, Adrian Bailey and Ken Page.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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Delimitros said one of the truck’s side view mirrors struck her in the head, causing minor injuries.—
David Hernandez,
sandiegouniontribune.com,
19 July 2017
Noun
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But the climax on a boat in the Baltic Sea, featuring Michael Stuhlbarg as an uncommonly contemplative Russian mercenary, stretches credibility to the breaking point.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2025
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The tension reaches a breaking point when Sara begins to suspect that Sebas, not Félix, may be responsible for the recent murders.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The run, made possible in part because of five KU turnovers in the final three minutes, stretched to 15-5 as KU wilted in crunch time.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2025
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Then, in crunch time, Daignaeult figured out how to attack coach Joe Mazzulla’s gamble to put Payton Pritchard on Gilgeous-Alexander, drawing a double team that gave Cason Wallace room to put the game to bed.—
Jay King,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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