white flag

noun

1
: a flag of plain white used as a flag of truce or as a token of surrender
2
: a token of weakness or yielding

Examples of white flag in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But on Friday, after losing in straight sets to Alcaraz, having done so to Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic, the archest of arch-competitors, effectively hoisted the white flag. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 Plough isn’t waving a white flag here. Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025 After Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal on Friday denied the city’s request for a rehearing in an election lawsuit brought by mayoral candidate Emilio González, the city officials who pushed for the change are waving the white flag. Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025 California deserves leaders who fight back, not editorials that wave the white flag of surrender. Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for white flag

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of white flag was in 1578

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Cite this Entry

“White flag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20flag. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

white flag

noun
: a flag of plain white used as a flag of truce or as a sign of surrender

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