tipping point
noun
: 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
While office occupancy in major U.S. cities spiked after the Labor Day weekend—suggesting a tipping point in the return-to-office battle—there’s still good news for pets.
—
Bysteve Mollman, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2023
But McGinnis’s statements and subsequent request to approve editorial content ahead of publication marked a tipping point in a small-scale culture war that had been building for a few years within the award-winning magazine.
—Laura Wagner, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023
The 2012 election was perhaps the tipping point, when Herman Cain, a successful chief executive of a pizza chain, at one point led the Republican primary polls.
—Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
California was one of the first major car markets to reach that tipping point, in 2018, and so far 23 countries have been added to the list.
—Tom Randall, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023
After 8 major hurricanes in 6 years, some Gulf Coast communities are hitting a 'tipping point'
The population has been growing worldwide, but most of the Florida flamingos were believed to be descended from birds that escaped from various animal attractions.
—David Williams, CNN, 5 Sep. 2023
More:The indispensable state: Why Wisconsin could again be the electoral 'tipping point' in 2024
Still, Trump is expected to have an impact on the debate.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2023
Others said the case could be a tipping point that will drive fence-sitters fed up with Trump's election lies into Biden's camp.
—Harold Maass, The Week, 3 Aug. 2023
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images Ukraine’s offensive has reached a tipping point.
—Seth Cropsey, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2023
See More
Bysteve Mollman, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2023
But McGinnis’s statements and subsequent request to approve editorial content ahead of publication marked a tipping point in a small-scale culture war that had been building for a few years within the award-winning magazine.
—Laura Wagner, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023
The 2012 election was perhaps the tipping point, when Herman Cain, a successful chief executive of a pizza chain, at one point led the Republican primary polls.
—Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
California was one of the first major car markets to reach that tipping point, in 2018, and so far 23 countries have been added to the list.
—Tom Randall, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2023
After 8 major hurricanes in 6 years, some Gulf Coast communities are hitting a 'tipping point'
The population has been growing worldwide, but most of the Florida flamingos were believed to be descended from birds that escaped from various animal attractions.
—David Williams, CNN, 5 Sep. 2023
More:The indispensable state: Why Wisconsin could again be the electoral 'tipping point' in 2024
Still, Trump is expected to have an impact on the debate.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2023
Others said the case could be a tipping point that will drive fence-sitters fed up with Trump's election lies into Biden's camp.
—Harold Maass, The Week, 3 Aug. 2023
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images Ukraine’s offensive has reached a tipping point.
—Seth Cropsey, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tipping point.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1959, in the meaning defined above
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Dictionary Entries Near tipping point
Cite this Entry
“Tipping point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tipping%20point. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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