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 case against The case against McKenna is built on how high those aforementioned red flags are raised within the Leafs organization.
—
Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Despite Quantinuum's technical prowess and Honeywell's support, its financial health raises red flags for investors.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Take a closer look, and the red flags start to add up.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
Most companies have systems to detect conversations that raise red flags.
—Anat Lior, Fortune, 30 May 2026
An Associated Press investigation into Rocha found several red flags overlooked along the way, including a warning that one longtime CIA operative received nearly two decades ago that Rocha was working as a double agent.
—Joshua Goodman, Arkansas Online, 10 May 2026
So what exactly raises those red flags?
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Despite Quantinuum's technical prowess and Honeywell's support, its financial health raises red flags for investors.
—Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Take a closer look, and the red flags start to add up.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
Most companies have systems to detect conversations that raise red flags.
—Anat Lior, Fortune, 30 May 2026
An Associated Press investigation into Rocha found several red flags overlooked along the way, including a warning that one longtime CIA operative received nearly two decades ago that Rocha was working as a double agent.
—Joshua Goodman, Arkansas Online, 10 May 2026
So what exactly raises those red flags?
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flags
Noun
-
According to state police, the vehicle was seen going through multiple red lights and passing other motorists.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
-
The horizon is scattered with tall wind turbines, crowned with blinking red lights visible from miles away in the nighttime sky.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, there's new research on the efficacy of these bans and fresh warnings about excessive screen time for children.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
Although there have been similar warnings from individual countries in the past, the joint bulletin was described as unprecedented.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
But there are signs of real life going on too, which is always a good thing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer, for example, the spectral biosignatures of carbon dioxide and methane may overlap, leading to the gasses being confused with each other and signs of life being dismissed or lost.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Red flags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flags. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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