tipping point

noun

Definition of tipping point

: the critical point in a situation, process, or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place

Examples of tipping point in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Yet, Anthony reached a tipping point in the 2016 offseason amid shootings of unarmed Black people and police officers in Dallas, Orlando, St. Paul and Baton Rouge. — Mark Medina, USA TODAY, "Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade have led on social justice causes. Their Fund pushes for major change," 18 Jan. 2021 Also nearing a tipping point in 2020 were calls from lawmakers across the country for changes in a system that operates on the labor of unpaid athletes, who receive scholarships but not much more. — Eddie Pells, orlandosentinel.com, "COVID-19, lawsuits signal changes looming for college sports," 25 Dec. 2020 His article was the tipping point for the coup claim. — Davey Alba, New York Times, "Riled Up: Misinformation Stokes Calls for Violence on Election Day," 13 Oct. 2020 These urban centers can be the tipping point for candidates—especially Democrats, who rely on a big Election Day turnout. — WSJ, "Inside the Counties That Will Help Decide the 2020 Election," 9 Oct. 2020 Settled co-founder and chief executive Gabrielle Clowdus, believes the community is at a tipping point. — Peter Warren, Star Tribune, "Nonprofit Settled unveils designs for tiny homes to combat homelessness in St. Paul," 23 Jan. 2021 But his petty outburst in the locker room after the game, which was the culmination of countless missteps, including disrespecting teammates and staff members, became the tipping point. — Chris Fedor, cleveland, "Cleveland Cavaliers ‘hoping the best’ for Kevin Porter Jr. but believe moving on ‘needed to happen’ for sake of culture," 19 Jan. 2021 The health-care crisis in America is at a tipping point. — Washington Post, "Readers write to Joe Biden ahead of the inauguration," 14 Jan. 2021 Now, with Brazil consumed by the coronavirus, the Amazon is inching closer to what scientists warn is a tipping point, when large swaths of rainforest transform into arid savanna. — Washington Post, "Bolsonaro sent soldiers to the Amazon to curb deforestation. Here’s how the effort failed.," 4 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tipping point.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.