red-flagged; red-flagging; red-flags
: to identify or draw attention to (a problem or issue to be dealt with)
Those who voice the most displeasure in their marriage, are more likely to complain about their partner's weight, Newport adds, which may help counselors red-flag weakening relationships before it's too late.—
Matthew J. Cravatta
Matthew J. CravattaDrug testing, detailed questions about previous employment history, and criminal-record checks go a long way toward red-flagging risks.—Anne Fisher
Anne FisherWe met, we got along great, and I [Spike Lee] told her, "Not only do I want you to work with the actors, but I want you to look at this script. I am a man, and I know there's going to be stuff in there that's strictly from a male viewpoint—I want you to red-flag that stuff."—Anne Stockwell
Anne Stockwell
plural red flags
: a warning signal or sign
A high body-mass index is a red flag in general to clinicians. But sudden, unexplained weight loss can be even more worrisome.—Melinda Beck
: something that indicates or draws attention to a problem, danger, or irregularity
Melinda BeckInterested large investors often send in their own CPAs to conduct complete audits to verify statements or to spot red flags, such as excessively old inventory or uncollectible accounts receivable.—Inc.
Inc.Whether you're dating a potential gold digger or are surrounded by friends who are constantly asking for handouts, you'll want to protect your money from those kinds of drains. Watch out for red flags such as dishonesty, secrecy around money matters and requests to co-sign a loan.—Kimberly Palmer
Kimberly PalmerThe sham citations … immediately raised red flags [=aroused suspicions of wrongdoing] for those familiar with the local parking schedule.—Nathan Solis
see also red flag law
Nathan SolisExamples of red-flag in a Sentence
Noun
Gaps in your employment history are red flags to employers.
the résumé she accidentally left on the office printer was a red flag that she was planning to quit
Recent Examples on the Web
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2025
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson is raising red flags ahead of today's Common Council vote on the budget, warning of aldermanic amendments' impact on taxpayers and services in 2026 and years to come.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The papers were studying strokes in animals, and researchers not only found duplicate images but also a lack of follow-up research, another red flag pointing to baseless findings.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The National Association of Realtors lists immediate sales with a dramatic change in value as one of the potential red flags that may indicate money laundering.
—Karen Wang, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for red-flag
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Noun
Nonprofit attorneys called that lack of independent oversight a major red flag for the IRS.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2025
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson is raising red flags ahead of today's Common Council vote on the budget, warning of aldermanic amendments' impact on taxpayers and services in 2026 and years to come.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The papers were studying strokes in animals, and researchers not only found duplicate images but also a lack of follow-up research, another red flag pointing to baseless findings.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The National Association of Realtors lists immediate sales with a dramatic change in value as one of the potential red flags that may indicate money laundering.
—Karen Wang, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for red-flag
Cite this Entry
“Red-flag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red-flag. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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