as in red lights
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
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Recent Examples of red flags
The program teaches participants how to identify red flags, spot fake communications and avoid sharing sensitive information under pressure.
—
Kennedy Hayes, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
But the red flags are there, too.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Members of the Metropolitan Airports Commission had raised red flags over a streetcar accessing the same track as the Blue Line light rail at MSP, as well as necessary road improvements approaching the airport.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
But a Disney co-CEO arrangement also comes with a number of red flags that don't exist at other companies.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
One such trend, which has since become known as the ‘pink pilates princess,’ might not raise any red flags at first.
—Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
But red flags can be harder to see when a buyer really wants a deal to get done.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
How many red flags can this season possibly show us?
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2025
And nothing about his infatuation with Gemini had raised red flags for Rachel.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Kennedy Hayes, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
But the red flags are there, too.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Members of the Metropolitan Airports Commission had raised red flags over a streetcar accessing the same track as the Blue Line light rail at MSP, as well as necessary road improvements approaching the airport.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
But a Disney co-CEO arrangement also comes with a number of red flags that don't exist at other companies.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
One such trend, which has since become known as the ‘pink pilates princess,’ might not raise any red flags at first.
—Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
But red flags can be harder to see when a buyer really wants a deal to get done.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
How many red flags can this season possibly show us?
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2025
And nothing about his infatuation with Gemini had raised red flags for Rachel.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flags
Noun
-
This probe covers dozens of dangerous driving incidents, including blowing through red lights, driving in the wrong lane of traffic, and three accidents that resulted in five injuries.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
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And though the visuals start calmly enough, with an old man puttering through a deserted city, the flashing blue, green, and red lights inject a jolt of madness that’s pushed into the surreal as the man confronts giant statue heads of the Weeknd and Moroder floating above the city.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Unfortunately the tourists who feature in Antal’s video failed to heed those warnings, much to his obvious frustration.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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Duffy did not cite specific intelligence, but his remarks echoed broader administration warnings about potential unrest tied to the protests this Saturday.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As early as 2014, scientists had discovered signs of sea star wasting disease in at least twenty species across the Pacific coast.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Oct. 2025
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But there are signs that people are eating slightly fewer of these foods.—
Alice Callahan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Red flags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flags. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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