Thesaurus results for BREAKING POINT

breaking point

noun

Definition of breaking point

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

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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 breaking point Running from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to Mexico’s Gulf of California, the Colorado River is being pushed to the breaking point by years of drought and overuse. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 June 2026 John Furner, the CEO of Walmart, says that even wealthier shoppers are going to the budget grocery chain as high prices stretch family finances to a breaking point. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 June 2026 In 1973 the strained relationship between Kemper and his mother reached a breaking point. — Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 June 2026 Hugh Jackman has reportedly reached his breaking point with the ongoing drama surrounding his split from ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for breaking point

Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking point

Noun

Her first job as CEO in 2014 was to remake the century-old company’s corporate culture and regain customers’ trust following a tragic, reputation-wrecking ignition-switch crisis.

— Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Though largely peaceful, the protests have added to an already monthlong political crisis following a deadlock of over 19 months that has blocked the election of a president and led to two early elections.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of crisis

Noun

Charles’ resentment reached a boiling point in 1884, when his and Adam’s father, Cyrus Trask (Tracy Letts), enlisted Adam in the Army despite Charles being the far superior soldier.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Things came to a boiling point in the finale at a Halloween party thrown by Brittany Cartwright at her house.

— Kate Aurthur, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of boiling point

Noun

Some 700,000 people have lost their lives in the past 18 months as a result of the development cuts, the head of a global aid organization said last week.

— Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Matt Stanley, head of market engagement at Kpler, highlighted Europe’s dilemma and the risks posed by dipping into emergency reserves in an uncertain geopolitical environment.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of head

Noun

The number of geopolitical flash points would multiply as governments rushed to grab their share of the oceans and protect their claims through force.

— Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
The dispute over the route became one of the defining flash points of the conflict in Northern Ireland.

— Amanda Ferguson Reuters, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of flash point

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“Breaking point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20point. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of breaking point

noun

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