flags 1 of 3

Definition of flagsnext
plural of flag
1
2
as in signals
an object intended to give public notice or warning road crews using handheld stop signs as flags at both ends of the highway construction zone

Synonyms & Similar Words

flags

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of flag

flags

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of flag

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 flags
Noun
The demonstrators also waved Iran and Palestine flags as the rain came down and dinner attendees walked into the hotel. Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026 The flags that typically stand behind the podium when the President speaks were hastily brought in. Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026 Officers were seen armed and standing guard near the hotel, as flags of Pakistan waved in the distance. Sarah Dean, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026 Washington routinely installs foreign flags along major corridors near the White House and federal office buildings during state visits and other high-level diplomatic events, a long-standing practice meant to honor visiting leaders and signal the significance of the occasion. Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026 The federal investigation started after NCMEC got a slew of cybertips — or online flags — in June 2025. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 Israeli police have for years confiscated Palestinian flags from Palestinians, accusing them of disturbing the peace. Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026 The short sentiment blew up in 2025 when West Ada School District leaders told a teacher to take down her sign emblazoned with those words, ahead of the Legislature’s passage of a bill barring religious, political and ideological flags or banners in public schools. Idaho Statesman, 23 Apr. 2026 Textbooks, flags, legal ordinances, school and street names, grave markers, popular songs, the names of trees—all of these gave oxygen to a lie. Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
The system then scans YouTube and flags potential replicas for that celebrity’s team to review. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026 In Chicago, the system flags invoices where a timekeeper was logged as working more than 10 hours a day. Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026 How to store silver bars Home safes are the most accessible way to store silver bars, but Berkel flags a key limitation. Sharon Wu, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 On the flip side, elevated AMH sometimes flags PCOS, since polycystic ovaries contain many small follicles producing more of the hormone. Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026 The car flags the fault with a red warning light and limits speed to 90 km/h (56 mph), giving the driver enough runway to reach safety. Sean Evans, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026 The utility said its billing system flags unusual consumption patterns and potential meter irregularities for review. Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026 Rather than a static snapshot, Blueprints track live behavior, so if an AI system starts acting outside its intended purpose, the platform flags it. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026 The system software flags violators. Michele Gile, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flags
Noun
  • The Ridge Historic District, known for its many historic homes, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with 61 new banners commemorating its place in history, as well as some festivities.
    Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • Overstreet said most of the banners were put in place at night over two weeks starting in mid-April, and including last week.
    Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Fiber-optic drones are not piloted via, for example, GPS signals or radio control.
    Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The two resulting signals are subtracted from each other to deliver the pure EPR signal—no speed-limiting feedback loop needed.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The early read was that Alphabet , Microsoft , Meta Platforms , and Amazon all passed with flying colors, but beneath the strong headline numbers, a more nuanced debate is taking shape.
    Paulina Likos,Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 May 2026
  • Designed by the label’s then creative director, Olivier Rousteing, the unorthodox gown was sculpted based on a cast of Tyla’s body, then created out of three different colors of sand mixed with micro-crystal studs, providing extra sparkle down to the tip of her mermaid train.
    Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • These subjective calls decided at-bats, games, seasons and pennants — and, naturally, stirred endless debate.
    The Sports Desk, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
  • In his six seasons in Baltimore, Frank Robinson helped the Orioles win four league pennants.
    Raymond Daniel Burke, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flags. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on flags

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster