flash point

noun

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

But the feud between the two men reached another flash point …

—Richard Lacayo

3

: tinderbox sense 2

The city became a flash point as tensions grew.

Synonyms of flash point

• volcano
• time bomb

Examples of flash point in a Sentence

The city became a flash point as political tensions grew.

The situation reached a flash point when union leaders urged the workers to protest.

Recent Examples on the Web

One likely flash point will be the policies of the Monticello Association, a private organization that oversees the Jefferson-family cemetery at Monticello. — Andrew Lawler, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026

Some investors see a 5% yield on the 10-year Treasury as the next potential flash point. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Taiwan remains a dangerous flash point that could set back progress toward a relationship of strategic stability. — Da Wei, Foreign Affairs, 7 Sep. 2026

Littrell's beachfront property has become a flash point in the beach battles. — Debbie Elliott, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for flash point

• adjoint
• anoint
• appoint
• checkpoint
• conjoint
• disjoint
• endpoint
• gunpoint
• midpoint
• nonpoint
• pinpoint
• standpoint