1
as in volcano
a potentially explosive place or situation
that troubled region remains one of the world's most dangerous flash points
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2
as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
tensions between the two longtime adversaries were at a flash point
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flash point
In short, this is a serious flash point for any organization.
—
Usman Javaid, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
One of the flash points among Republican conservatives in the House is expected to surface again in the Senate — the bill’s price tag.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
Leaders of tribes without federal recognition saw the last few weeks’ AB 52 flash point as an opportunity to build momentum for greater protections and rights for all tribes in California.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025
Jensen led the bureau’s domestic terrorism operations section on Jan. 6, serving in a critical role responding to the riot, and helped monitor violent incidents at school board meetings across the country — both flash points for right-wing culture warriors.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Usman Javaid, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
One of the flash points among Republican conservatives in the House is expected to surface again in the Senate — the bill’s price tag.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
Leaders of tribes without federal recognition saw the last few weeks’ AB 52 flash point as an opportunity to build momentum for greater protections and rights for all tribes in California.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025
Jensen led the bureau’s domestic terrorism operations section on Jan. 6, serving in a critical role responding to the riot, and helped monitor violent incidents at school board meetings across the country — both flash points for right-wing culture warriors.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
Noun
-
Lava erupting from the Erta Ale volcano in the Afar region of Ethiopia.—
Ian Randall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
Even with the uncertainty of war, Stanton noted there are bigger worries for air carriers, like volcanoes.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
Even amid crises, the system generates new leaders, factions, and power centers.—
Narges Bajoghli,
Time,
19 June 2025
-
The loss plunged the team into crisis and cost Rob Blake his job.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Noun
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What a ticking time bomb today’s Americans are leaving to our children.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
-
Mahnaz’s son is a Tasmanian devil spinning his ticking time bomb energy into entrepreneurial pursuits (running a gambling ring at school), bullying classmates and yelling at any adult that interferes with his forcefield.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
OpenAI and Microsoft tensions reach a boiling point.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
17 June 2025
-
Viewers witnessed the fallout in Episode 13, as the tension between Huda and Jeremiah reached a boiling point.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
There's always one shot that leaves a golfer shaking his or her head.—
Mike Hutton,
Post-Tribune,
19 July 2017
-
Delimitros said one of the truck’s side view mirrors struck her in the head, causing minor injuries.—
David Hernandez,
sandiegouniontribune.com,
19 July 2017
Noun
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As personal and financial pressures mount, she's pushed to her breaking point, or, in this case, her last straw.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
18 June 2025
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Nearly six months into the year, the U.S. housing market is at a breaking point as inventory continues surging while sales dwindle in the face of chronically low affordability and growing economic uncertainty.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
In crunch time, the Thunder successfully countered the Pacers’ blitzing coverage on the MVP by having Williams sit in the weak-side slot.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
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Are your employees still supported during crunch time in July?—
Stephen Sokoler,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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