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
Other red flags that indicate a partner may kill include unemployment, substance use, problematic drinking, controlling or jealous behavior, abuse during pregnancy, rape and prior threats of suicide or with weapons.
—
Kathryn Spearman, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
But documents released by the government in March, after being forced to by Parliament, showed Starmer ignored red flags raised by his staff about the appointment.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Why gift cards are a major warning sign Gift cards are one of the biggest red flags in scams.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
What’s good for United could be a downer for travelers, and traditionally, anything that shrinks the list of rivals linking the same two metros from a longer roster to just one or two raises red flags for regulators.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Consumer safety experts also flagged packaging issues, including spelling errors, as additional red flags about product legitimacy.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
The red flags are easy to spot.
—Michelle Vartan, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2026
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.
—Jessica Klein, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Those who knew the couple told the Herald there were no glaring red flags.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Kathryn Spearman, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
But documents released by the government in March, after being forced to by Parliament, showed Starmer ignored red flags raised by his staff about the appointment.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Why gift cards are a major warning sign Gift cards are one of the biggest red flags in scams.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
What’s good for United could be a downer for travelers, and traditionally, anything that shrinks the list of rivals linking the same two metros from a longer roster to just one or two raises red flags for regulators.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Consumer safety experts also flagged packaging issues, including spelling errors, as additional red flags about product legitimacy.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
The red flags are easy to spot.
—Michelle Vartan, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2026
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.
—Jessica Klein, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
Those who knew the couple told the Herald there were no glaring red flags.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flags
Noun
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Swapping your bedside lighting also makes a difference — dim red lights are less likely to shift circadian rhythms than white or blue light and make a better nighttime alternative.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The suspect drove through several red lights while officers trailed behind in the Westchester, Inglewood and South LA neighborhoods.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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No injuries were reported in the blaze and no structures were threatened, despite an extensive list of evacuation orders and warnings that were issued at the fire's most intense point.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Those warnings lay out the increasingly stark consequences of a war the United States and Israel embarked on, including in friendly or allied nations, which now face the prospect of economic chaos.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But there are already signs that her expulsion would have some bipartisan support.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Markets, meanwhile, showed signs of fatigue.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Red flags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flags. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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