red flag

as in red light
something that tells of approaching danger or risk the résumé she accidentally left on the office printer was a red flag that she was planning to quit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 red flag For Goodwin, a lack of motivation is a workplace red flag. Ashton Jackson natalie Wu, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025 The absence of either can and should feel like a big red flag to drinkers. Oset Babür-Winter, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025 Airbnb’s cofounder and CEO Brian Chesky is one the most outspoken leaders in the business world waving the red flag on loneliness. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025 Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these perilous conditions. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for red flag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flag
Noun
  • Police said a semi was southbound when the driver disregarded a red light and hit Yeary’s vehicle in the intersection.
    Jennifer Edwards Baker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Federal regulators also have opened yet another investigation into Tesla’s self-driving feature after dozens of incidents in which the cars ran red lights or drove on the wrong side of the road, sometimes crashing into other vehicles and causing injuries.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The impact of the storm was worsened by clogged waterways in an already flood-prone area, and an apparent lack of understanding of early warnings, Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator for the Philippines Office of Civil Defense told local media.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Strong winds are occurring but are not so strong as to warrant a High wind warning.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Trade discussions dominated those meetings, but there were signs of growing tensions over Beijing’s surging conventional and nuclear arsenal.
    Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • However, unlike last season, there was no sign to those within the Capitals that their captain was feeling the pressure of scoring another historic goal.
    Sean Gentille, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Red flag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flag. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on red flag

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!