flash point

noun

Definition of flash pointnext
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

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 flash point Littrell's beachfront property has become a flash point in the beach battles. — Debbie Elliott, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026 Thus, the film, both as a history lesson and as a flash point of current politics, takes on a great responsibility and a grave one. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 Another flash point has been whether Flock data can ultimately be used by federal immigration authorities. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 Flock cameras have become the latest cultural flash point over the past several weeks as fears grow over their use to surveil the public. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
  1. volcano
  2. crisis
  3. time bomb
  4. boiling point
  5. head
  6. breaking point
  7. crunch time
Noun
  • Dozens more volcanoes The researchers caution that the risks extend beyond Hunga.
    — Yook Ji Hun, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Do not create a mound of pine straw that looks like a volcano around the plants.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of volcano
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
  • In Europe, multiethnic capitals are pilloried by the far right as demographic time bombs, ground zero for invasions of unwanted foreigners.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Blood streamed through his veins, pulsing inside him, like a ticking time bomb.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of time bomb
Noun
  • 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
  • Zilisch’s exasperation reached a boiling point last week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 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
  • This time around, traders often cite the booming (and opaque) private credit market and AI datacenter plans funded too much by debt — some of it off balance sheet — as likely breaking points.
    — Sean Conlon, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Keep in mind, there is a breaking point.
    — Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of breaking point
Noun
  • Does the Heat season ride on Bam being a few points better on offense this season and being a legitimate threat at crunch time?
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This is crunch time for pro personnel employees throughout the NFL.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of crunch time

Browse Nearby Words

flashlights
flash point
flash points
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Cite this Entry

“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flash point

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flash point

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