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 The entry documents the boiling point over divisions within the White House communications operation concerning the pandemic, and how desperately Fauci wanted to continue appearing in front of cameras. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 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 The internecine feud reached a boiling point in Las Vegas at the UNLV Invitational in December 2024. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026 The boiling point During what’s supposed to be a weekend of feasting, Gigi is eaten up by guilt. — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 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
  • The last three Democratic presidents inherited terrible economic conditions and had to spend to rescue the country from soaring joblessness, the housing crisis and the pandemic, respectively.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Washington — Senate Democrats demanded answers Wednesday about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, following reports of food shortages, broken plumbing and mental health crises during the aircraft carrier's record-setting deployment.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 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
  • But instead of congratulating their long-time colleague, her co-workers, under the orders of their department head, urged her to think again.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Jones also is among 21 to win state titles in their first head-coaching job at any school.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of head
Noun
  • The Community impact Rainbow Park’s closure is in some ways a flash point in the story of a changing neighborhood molded by economic and social pressures.
    — Austin Horn August 11, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The central role of tech platforms in determining who’s eligible has become a flash point, with unions and labor rights groups reporting widespread problems with access and eligibility.
    — Jacob Lederman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of flash point

Browse Nearby Words

boiling over
boiling point
boiling points
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Cite this Entry

“Boiling point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boiling%20point. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on boiling point

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about boiling point

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