1
as in volcano
a potentially explosive place or situation
that troubled region remains one of the world's most dangerous flash points
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flash point
While use of the Latin Mass remains a flash point, a controversy in the rapidly growing Diocese of Charlotte, N.C., has raised questions about the status of other liturgical traditions and symbols.
—
Arkansas Online, 7 June 2025
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
The June 14 event is shaping up as a flash point for tensions between Trump's critics and supporters.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Arkansas Online, 7 June 2025
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
The June 14 event is shaping up as a flash point for tensions between Trump's critics and supporters.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
Noun
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Excellent guide/driver combos take guests off-roading on geological Big 5 safari drives to see salt flats, geysers at 14,000 feet, canyons and dunes that rival Jordan and Utah, and a string of volcanoes that make this part of Chile one of the most active sites in the world.—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Robb Report,
28 July 2025
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Seafloor volcanoes could heat these moons’ oceans and provide the basic chemicals needed for life.—
James F. Holden,
The Conversation,
21 July 2025
Noun
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Things happen, our heroes react, a potentially world-ending crisis is easily averted and everything is wrapped up in time for dinner.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Yet this rift still coincides with a deepening fiscal crisis.—
Joël Té-Léssia Assoko,
semafor.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, this pension time bomb would cost the city nearly as much as repeal of the grocery tax and in the future will cost far more.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2025
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His friendship with Wash defies simplistic categorization: While sincere in feeling, its inherently untenable contradictions amount to a ticking time bomb, apparently destined to blow up in the back half of the series.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
21 July 2025
Noun
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The sheriff’s simmering anger, which reaches boiling point as a result of Eddington’s growing air of claustrophobia and his own loosening grip on his life, leads to Cross assassinating Garcia.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
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As the summer temperatures reach a boiling point, numerous artists — from Alex Warren to BTS — are turning up the heat with new releases.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
18 July 2025
Noun
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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
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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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No one wins when the family feuds as Jackie and Chantel reach their breaking point.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
24 July 2025
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The negative emotionality is over a long period of time to get them to a breaking point to act out.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
20 July 2025
Noun
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Trump’s trip to the Capitol underscores that the GOP is entering crunch time with the reconciliation package, which contains key pieces of Trump’s agenda on taxes, border funding and spending.—
Mychael Schnell,
The Hill,
20 May 2025
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But a series of lousy draft picks and a lack of an attractive infrastructure — that imaginary permanent practice facility is being built any day now! — have kept them from acquiring the sort of superstars that carry teams in crunch time, the kind of difference-makers this town deserves.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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