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
Despite the focus on the Middle East, the leaders took up major regional flash points, including the South China Sea territorial disputes involving Beijing, a five-year civil war in Myanmar and a recent border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
—
Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Sidewalks and paths were another flash point, with Council Member Chris Allgood pressing the developer to help fill gaps along Montana Avenue so students can safely walk between Gem State Adventist Academy and nearby public schools.
—Noah Daly
may 7, Idaho Statesman, 7 May 2026
More than 98% of active duty troops complied, but the mandate became a flash point.
—Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2026
The killing has become a flash point in a wider crackdown across the Persian Gulf.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Sidewalks and paths were another flash point, with Council Member Chris Allgood pressing the developer to help fill gaps along Montana Avenue so students can safely walk between Gem State Adventist Academy and nearby public schools.
—Noah Daly
may 7, Idaho Statesman, 7 May 2026
More than 98% of active duty troops complied, but the mandate became a flash point.
—Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2026
The killing has become a flash point in a wider crackdown across the Persian Gulf.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
Noun
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Its dark terrain is constantly changing due to lava flows from Kilauea or Mauna Loa – two of the most active volcanoes in the world, according to the National Park Service website.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Some of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes have not erupted in decades, while others erupt regularly and remain under constant surveillance.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Alas, as the current crisis confirms, such mere facts do not persuade those leading the anti-vaccine crusade that threatens both existing protections and the hope of creating new ones.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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Haiti is one of the world’s poorest countries, in the grip of a political and humanitarian crisis.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Can people avoid the ticking HSA tax time bomb?—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
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That is a real fiscal time bomb that could set off generational warfare in Washington.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Noun
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While the water is technically heated to near-boiling temperatures to brew coffee and tea, that’s not always enough to guarantee safety, especially when altitude changes the boiling point.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
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The market for kids’ vintage clothing has heated up precipitously over the last few years, perhaps hitting a boiling point in January when an Eeyore romper from the ’90s sold for over $3,000 on EBay.—
Marah Eakin,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
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From the Neolithic rock art of what is now Libya to ancient Egypt, China and India, to medieval and Renaissance Europe, creatures at borderlands of what was taken to be civilization were represented as cynocephalic, that is, humans with dog heads.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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In the gallery, Austin's brother, Hunter Metcalf, lowered his head into his hands, visibly shaken.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Hugh Jackman has reportedly reached his breaking point with the ongoing drama surrounding his split from ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
1 June 2026
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What's the price increase breaking point for shoppers?—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Just as the Spurs appeared to show some life, New York just responded right back to steal the momentum away from the Spurs and put the clamps on in crunch time.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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In their four postseasons with Brunson, the Knicks are 18-10 in games that have gone to crunch time.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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