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
On paper, the mortgage documents may seem to raise red flags, since a borrower isn’t supposed to hold two principal-residence mortgages at once.
—
Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Alabama started Year 2 under Kalen Deboer by setting off a ton of red flags in a 31-17 loss to Florida State in Week 1, but the Tide bounced back with dominant wins over UL Monroe and Wisconsin.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Many demand precise projections, treating volatile margins as red flags.
—Jacob Bennett, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
But by then, your financials may show slowing sales or shrinking margins—both red flags for lenders.
—Joe Camberato, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The investigations also revealed a string of red flags that authorities should have taken note of to stop Aber’s misconduct sooner, said attorney Neil Singh Sandhu, who is representing some of the women in the lawsuits.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
The transfer raised some red flags for the senator, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
—Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
In a 2024 study, scientists taped red flags taped to crickets’ hind legs to imitate the matador bugs and see how predatory birds responded.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
As an employee, recognizing the red flags early is critical to protect both your mental health and career growth.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025
Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Alabama started Year 2 under Kalen Deboer by setting off a ton of red flags in a 31-17 loss to Florida State in Week 1, but the Tide bounced back with dominant wins over UL Monroe and Wisconsin.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Many demand precise projections, treating volatile margins as red flags.
—Jacob Bennett, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
But by then, your financials may show slowing sales or shrinking margins—both red flags for lenders.
—Joe Camberato, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The investigations also revealed a string of red flags that authorities should have taken note of to stop Aber’s misconduct sooner, said attorney Neil Singh Sandhu, who is representing some of the women in the lawsuits.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
The transfer raised some red flags for the senator, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
—Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
In a 2024 study, scientists taped red flags taped to crickets’ hind legs to imitate the matador bugs and see how predatory birds responded.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
As an employee, recognizing the red flags early is critical to protect both your mental health and career growth.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flags
Noun
-
Police said that during the pursuit the suspect tried to run over an officer, ran multiple red lights and swerved into oncoming traffic.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Residents have reported motorized bikes speeding down bike lanes and sidewalks to avoid traffic, sometimes while going the wrong way, blowing through red lights and nearly hitting pedestrians.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Additional watches or warnings could be required tonight or on Sunday.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
-
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Some of those signs and those behavioral changes are going to be easily noticed.—
Suzi Morales,
Parents,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Neighbors who walk by often ask about Timm’s garden, now adorned with colorful signs – something her mom said helps spread awareness about the importance of taking action.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Red flags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flags. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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