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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flash point
Beyond that flash point, depictions of the fires have been limited.
—
Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Concerns about Merriam represent the latest flash point in a long-running debate about the power imbalance between federal judges and the often young clerks who work for them.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
The flash point was the inclusion in Web.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
But as expiring ObamaCare subsidies have become a major flash point that Democrats aim to use in the midterm elections, many Republicans hope to use reconciliation to address health care.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Concerns about Merriam represent the latest flash point in a long-running debate about the power imbalance between federal judges and the often young clerks who work for them.
—Carrie Johnson, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
The flash point was the inclusion in Web.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
But as expiring ObamaCare subsidies have become a major flash point that Democrats aim to use in the midterm elections, many Republicans hope to use reconciliation to address health care.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
Noun
-
According to a study published today in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, J1007+3540 is erupting like a volcano and spewing plasma across interstellar space.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2026
-
When her childhood friend Bethany comes to visit with a new boyfriend, a volcano erupts.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Protests erupted late last year after Iran's national currency, the rial, plunged to record lows, worsening a cost-of-living crisis.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
-
But the agency has said the crewmember is stable, stressing that this is not a crisis situation.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Julian Markston has been a ticking time bomb throughout this Matlock season.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Tackling this ticking time bomb requires swift and decisive action—the kind America excels at.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The outrage has been growing and finally may have reached boiling point.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Things came to a boiling point after the poster mentioned wanting to move closer to her own family, which is about 10 hours away.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
21 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Fed Chair Jerome Powell, a co-defendant in Cook’s case, has chosen to attend the oral arguments along with the Fed’s head lawyer, in what experts describe as an unusual show of support.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
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Seven Western Conference reserves are yet to be named — they’ll be voted on by head coaches — and Murray is considered likely to take one of those spots.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The breaking point came two months earlier, when her sister-in-law called in a panic with a childcare request.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Moms are being pushed to their breaking point, a new USA TODAY/Peacock survey shows.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The guild nominees and the BAFTA longlista have narrowed the field to a degree, but with so many people in town and so little time to get them in front of Oscar voters, this is crunch time, and campaign consultants are wasting no time doing just that.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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