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
Inflation has become a political flash point nationwide as debate intensifies over new trade policies and interest rates.
—
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025
Those efforts are now critical as AI and semiconductors become geopolitical flash points.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
Abrego Garcia became a flash point over President Trump’s immigration policies when he was deported in March to a notorious megaprison in El Salvador.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
Abrego Garcia was living in Maryland when he was mistakenly deported and became a flash point in President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
—arkansasonline.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025
Those efforts are now critical as AI and semiconductors become geopolitical flash points.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
Abrego Garcia became a flash point over President Trump’s immigration policies when he was deported in March to a notorious megaprison in El Salvador.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025
Abrego Garcia was living in Maryland when he was mistakenly deported and became a flash point in President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
—arkansasonline.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
Noun
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The helicopter then lands inside the canyon, where participants start their epic journey on the river to the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano, past glaciers, waterfalls, and basalt columns.—
Mia Taylor,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
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Joan and her dad are both convinced the world is going to end when that volcano erupts, but only one of them is willing to put themselves on the line in order to stop it.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The growing costs to buy and maintain a car –exacerbated by inflation and tariffs –are leading to rising auto loan defaults and repossessions and a potential crisis for American consumers left unprotected by the federal government, according to a new report by a consumer advocacy organization.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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In a bizarre twist, that denial letter listed her husband as the patient but made reference to the care of a newborn, not that of a 52-year-old man having a mental health crisis.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For much of the film, that enticing idea undergirds the main plot line like a ticking time bomb.—
Gregory Nussen,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
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The insurance and housing sectors are scrambling to try to get ahead of this ticking time bomb.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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If Brisson is indeed speaking for his client, then there is reason to believe that Crosby’s frustration with the current state of the Penguins is at a boiling point.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Only, his side of the story suggests that this summer was the boiling point of a longer game, dating back to last summer when contract promises were reneged upon.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Cherry breaks a Champagne flute on her own head and runs out of the gallery, screaming that Laura attacked her.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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Fowler's character, Randall, gets involved in the group of true crime enthusiasts when he's promoted to the position of head doorman at the Arconia after Lester's death.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That line of questioning pushed the woman past her breaking point.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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The 75-year-old daughter of Sam Walton, the late Walmart founder who turned a five-and-dime store in rural Arkansas into the world’s largest company by revenue, thinks the US is very close to that breaking point.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pre-snap reads and post-snap adjustments can prove critical in crunch time.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Don’t Be Afraid To Take Risks Kobe wanted the ball in crunch time.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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