boiling point

noun

Definition of boiling pointnext
as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action when the situation reached the boiling point, the President had no choice but to order out the National Guard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of boiling point As QAnon conspiracy theories took hold with people from around the world and tensions around policies to prevent the spread of Covid reached a boiling point, this previously unknown woman became the unlikely answer some in Canada were searching for. — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026 Kimmie, played by Taylor Polidore Williams, finally levels the playing field with the Bellaire family just as tensions rise to another boiling point. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026 Temperatures don’t need to hit boiling point for productivity losses to start showing. — Oliver Balch, Fortune, 27 July 2026 Things reached a boiling point in 2008, when NATAS tried to launch its own Broadband Emmys, and the TV Academy balked. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for boiling point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boiling point
  1. crisis
  2. breaking point
  3. head
  4. flash point
Noun
  • Since Starmer's political crisis began brewing in early May, the pound has fallen nearly 3% cumulative against the dollar.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The show is, in a way, the chronicle of Billie’s quarter-life crisis.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of crisis
Noun
  • Keep in mind, there is a breaking point.
    — Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Three of the Netherlands’ four goals came from this method, as Gakpo, Dumfries and Summerville stretched the Swedish defence to breaking point and opened up additional space in the middle.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 20 June 2026
Definition of breaking point
Noun
  • The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of head
Noun
  • Another flash point has been whether Flock data can ultimately be used by federal immigration authorities.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Flock cameras have become the latest cultural flash point over the past several weeks as fears grow over their use to surveil the public.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of flash point

Browse Nearby Words

boiling over
boiling point
boiling points
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boiling point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boiling%20point. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on boiling point

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boiling point

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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