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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 breaking point
At the same time, shelters remain at a breaking point, with the SAC estimating that 103,000 animals were added to shelter populations last year.
—
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
Labour Cabinet Minister Lisa Nandy, whose Wigan constituency is nearby, warned in an interview with the New Statesman magazine this month that political tensions were reaching a breaking point in the North.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
The pair's relationship, which started to show cracks in recent weeks, appeared to reach a breaking point on June 5 when the president and Tesla CEO each hurled personal attacks at one another on social media.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 June 2025
As personal and financial pressures mount, she's pushed to her breaking point, or, in this case, her last straw.
—EW.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for breaking point
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
Labour Cabinet Minister Lisa Nandy, whose Wigan constituency is nearby, warned in an interview with the New Statesman magazine this month that political tensions were reaching a breaking point in the North.
—Stephen Collinson, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
The pair's relationship, which started to show cracks in recent weeks, appeared to reach a breaking point on June 5 when the president and Tesla CEO each hurled personal attacks at one another on social media.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 6 June 2025
As personal and financial pressures mount, she's pushed to her breaking point, or, in this case, her last straw.
—EW.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for breaking point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking point
Noun
-
Stablecoins have, historically, flourished where there is economic instability and global crisis may further support the cross-border reliance on the stability of the U.S. currency.—
Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
After signing it Monday evening, Newsom heralded it as a solution to the state’s affordability crisis, which reached a fever pitch last year and peaked when a series of wildfires devastated Los Angeles in January, burning thousands of homes.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Tensions between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres reached a boiling point during the top of the ninth inning of the Padres' 5-3 win at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2025
-
These frustrations reached a boiling point last week.—
Henry Gass,
Christian Science Monitor,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Who would have thought Oklahoma City would become a flash point of foot fashion.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
-
Changes to Medicaid benefits and new work requirements will mean higher healthcare costs and less eligibility, creating a flash point in the broader debate over the bill.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breaking point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20point. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share