1
as in volcano
a potentially explosive place or situation
that troubled region remains one of the world's most dangerous flash points
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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
While the impact of a costlier iPhone likely wouldn't mean much from a larger economic perspective, the saber-rattling underscores the volatility of trade policy and provides another flash point for a market already unnerved by worries about fiscal policy that have sent bond yields sharply higher.
—
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 May 2025
It’s been a flash point for racial profiling, particularly against Black men.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 3 Apr. 2025
Maine has become a flash point after the state vowed noncompliance with Trump’s executive order barring their participation in girls sports.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 19 Mar. 2025
In short, this is a serious flash point for any organization.
—Usman Javaid, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 May 2025
It’s been a flash point for racial profiling, particularly against Black men.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 3 Apr. 2025
Maine has become a flash point after the state vowed noncompliance with Trump’s executive order barring their participation in girls sports.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 19 Mar. 2025
In short, this is a serious flash point for any organization.
—Usman Javaid, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
Noun
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Geologists recorded an avalanche of searing gas clouds mixed with rocks and lava traveling up to 3 miles down the volcano's slopes during the eruption.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
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However, a secret held for decades by the U.S. military is far more terrifying than any volcano.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Stablecoins have, historically, flourished where there is economic instability and global crisis may further support the cross-border reliance on the stability of the U.S. currency.—
Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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After signing it Monday evening, Newsom heralded it as a solution to the state’s affordability crisis, which reached a fever pitch last year and peaked when a series of wildfires devastated Los Angeles in January, burning thousands of homes.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
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The combination of financial illiteracy and problematic money management leads many to be unaware of the ticking time bombs which underlie their financial circumstances.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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The time bomb is ticking—and consumers should begin bracing for the explosion.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Noun
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Tensions between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres reached a boiling point during the top of the ninth inning of the Padres' 5-3 win at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2025
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These frustrations reached a boiling point last week.—
Henry Gass,
Christian Science Monitor,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.—
John Roach,
NOLA.com,
19 July 2017
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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
Noun
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Plans from earlier this month will hit a breaking point.—
Liz Simmons,
StyleCaster,
24 June 2025
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If the Trump administration continues to create a sense of uncertainty about the U.S. security guarantee to South Korea, for example, leaders in Seoul could reach a breaking point.—
FLORENCE GAUB,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
Noun
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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
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In crunch time, the Thunder successfully countered the Pacers’ blitzing coverage on the MVP by having Williams sit in the weak-side slot.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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