flash point
nounDefinition of flash point
1 : the lowest temperature at which vapors above a volatile combustible substance ignite in air when exposed to flame
2 : a point at which someone or something bursts suddenly into action or being
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Synonyms for flash point
Synonyms
boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crisis, crossroad(s), crunch, emergency, exigency, extremity, head, juncture, tinderbox, zero hour
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Examples of flash point in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
More than 700 people were injured in the disaster at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, which emerged as a political flash point over the role of wealth and class in British life. — Michael Wolgelenter, New York Times, "Hillsborough Police Commander Faces Trial in 95 Soccer Deaths," 29 June 2018 The unsolved disappearance of 43 students at a rural teachers college in 2014 continues to be a flash point of indignation, as are the dozen current or former governors facing corruption charges. — Kate Linthicum, latimes.com, "Fed up with violence and corruption, Mexican voters embrace a seasoned leftist who wants to double the minimum wage," 24 June 2018 The money funds teacher salaries and classroom expenses — two expenses that have emerged as political flash points under Ducey's tenure. — Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, azcentral, "Doug Ducey to sign tax measure — is he violating his pledge to never raise taxes?," 22 Mar. 2018 These will be made in Ramos, Mexico, which will likely become a flash point of interest for the Trump administration. — Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, "Chevrolet's new Blazer coming in early 2019 will be made in Mexico," 22 June 2018 The Flint crisis has been a major flash point between Schuette and Gov. Rick Snyder, who has retained two top state health department officials after Schuette charged them with involuntary manslaughter. — Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press, "Bill Schuette, Brian Calley trade blows in GOP gubernatorial debate," 9 May 2018 There are a few reasons Democrats are trying to use these two issues as flash points, according to a source familiar with Democrats’ thinking. — Li Zhou, Vox, "Schumer faces the most important Supreme Court fight for Democrats in a generation," 6 July 2018 Cyprus has been one of the most dangerous flash points between rivals Turkey and Greece for years now—originally under British rule, Cyprus became an independent country in 1960. — Ian Bremmer, Time, "The Alternative World Cup You Might Have Missed This Summer," 22 June 2018 No single issue is more politically fraught and vexing for Republicans than immigration, and the latest flash point is exposing the divisions. — Mike Debonis And Seung Min Kim, chicagotribune.com, "GOP moderates push immigration debate as White House and Ryan reopen talks," 17 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flash point.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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