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
In an era where relentless innovation, aggressive internal policies, and shifting government contracts collide with mounting societal pressures, tech workers are reaching their breaking points—and the fallout is reshaping the industry.
—
Jason Wingard, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
But the climax on a boat in the Baltic Sea, featuring Michael Stuhlbarg as an uncommonly contemplative Russian mercenary, stretches credibility to the breaking point.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025
The tension reaches a breaking point when Sara begins to suspect that Sebas, not Félix, may be responsible for the recent murders.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025
Now, more cuts threaten to push the university, and the town that depends on it, to a breaking point.
—Molly Parker, ProPublica, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breaking point
Jason Wingard, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
But the climax on a boat in the Baltic Sea, featuring Michael Stuhlbarg as an uncommonly contemplative Russian mercenary, stretches credibility to the breaking point.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025
The tension reaches a breaking point when Sara begins to suspect that Sebas, not Félix, may be responsible for the recent murders.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025
Now, more cuts threaten to push the university, and the town that depends on it, to a breaking point.
—Molly Parker, ProPublica, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for breaking point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking point
Noun
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The biggest challenges facing Fort Worth include the hiring of a new police chief during a mental health crisis that law enforcement is failing to address effectively.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
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The team averted a crisis on beam, with junior Jordan Bowers delivering a stellar routine after a fall from the prior athlete.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And when the Rangers failed to take a step forward in 2022, despite their marquee free-agent signings of Marcus Semien and Corey Seager (the ex-Dodgers shortstop whom Woodward helped woo to Texas) the previous offseason, discontent among the club reached a boiling point.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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The tense hearing reached a boiling point shortly after Balian flashed a photo on the courtroom screen showing José and Kitty’s dead bodies inside the den where they were killed.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.—
John Roach,
NOLA.com,
19 July 2017
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Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.—
J. Harry Jones,
Ramona Sentinel,
19 July 2017
Noun
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This case has become a national flash point as the Trump administration ratchets up its deportation efforts and its crackdown on immigration.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
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Gender dynamics became a flash point: Danes see themselves as pioneers for equality, while many new arrivals came from traditional Muslim societies where women often did not work outside the home and girls could not always decide when and whom to marry.—
Robert Petkoff Krish Seenivasan Quinton Kamara,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breaking point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20point. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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