as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
tensions between the two nations had risen to the breaking point
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Recent Examples of breaking point
The breaking point of the Chiefs’ season came a week before they were eliminated from playoff contention, and a week before quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a knee injury that will now occupy his offseason.
—
Sam McDowell 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
What was the breaking point that led you to that decision?
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2026
With talks getting nowhere, Parsons' growing frustrations reached their breaking point during training camp.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Next to the Comet, the de Haviland museum displays a section of fuselage that was tested to breaking point.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breaking point
Sam McDowell 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
What was the breaking point that led you to that decision?
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2026
With talks getting nowhere, Parsons' growing frustrations reached their breaking point during training camp.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Next to the Comet, the de Haviland museum displays a section of fuselage that was tested to breaking point.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breaking point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking point
Noun
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The trek aimed to promote national healing, unity and compassion as the nation faces challenges of division, mental health crises and conflict both at home and abroad.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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Each of these three leaders faces a crisis on the world stage but also with their own conscience.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Charlotte Hornets big man reached a boiling point with Detroit’s Jalen Duren on Monday night and simply had enough.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
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Over 30 years ago, Los Angeles reached a boiling point following the acquittal of four police officers who brutally beat Rodney King.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After Mike Vrabel was fired as the head coach in Tennessee, Kuhr spent the 2024 season as a defensive assistant with the Giants before Vrabel re-hired him in New England as his inside linebackers coach.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
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After last season’s 7-5 finish, head coach Brennan Marion left to become Colorado’s OC.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The incident became a flash point in ongoing debates over whether immigration officials had gone too far in detaining a young boy.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
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Minneapolis has become a flash point for clashes between federal immigration enforcement agents and agitators, particularly after the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20point. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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