point of no return
noun phrase
1
: the point in the flight of an aircraft beyond which the remaining fuel will be insufficient for a return to the starting point with the result that the craft must proceed
2
: a critical point at which turning back or reversal is not possible
Examples of point of no return in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The point of no return If republican citizens and leaders fail to be vigilant, they will eventually be confronted with a leader who has accumulated an extremely powerful and threatening following.
—
Vickie B. Sullivan, The Conversation, 5 June 2024
There was just one significant difference: those in the NDE group more frequently experienced reaching a border demarcating a point of no return.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 14 May 2024
And the scientists affirm that between 20% and 25% of destruction, the forest reaches the point of no return.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2023
Fukushima Dai-ichi was now beyond the point of no return.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2011
Related Stories In the series finale, George’s insatiable lust for power reaches a point of no return.
—Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024
The invasion of Ukraine marked a point of no return in Putin’s long-standing crusade against the West.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
However, with federal finances quickly approaching a point of no return, responsible governance means looking for prudent solutions.
—David Ditch, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
And Sherbro Island used to historically be the point of no return in the slave trade.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024
Vickie B. Sullivan, The Conversation, 5 June 2024
There was just one significant difference: those in the NDE group more frequently experienced reaching a border demarcating a point of no return.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 14 May 2024
And the scientists affirm that between 20% and 25% of destruction, the forest reaches the point of no return.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2023
Fukushima Dai-ichi was now beyond the point of no return.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2011
Related Stories In the series finale, George’s insatiable lust for power reaches a point of no return.
—Max Gao, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024
The invasion of Ukraine marked a point of no return in Putin’s long-standing crusade against the West.
—Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
However, with federal finances quickly approaching a point of no return, responsible governance means looking for prudent solutions.
—David Ditch, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
And Sherbro Island used to historically be the point of no return in the slave trade.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'point of no return.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near point of no return
Cite this Entry
“Point of no return.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point%20of%20no%20return. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
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