as in red flags
something that tells of approaching danger or risk
the reporter took her glower as a red light and stopped asking questions
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Recent Examples of red lights
He was accused of leading sheriff’s deputies on a speedy chase through a residential area of Oceanside, blowing past multiple red lights and knocking a deputy off a motorcycle.
—
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
And none of those three wins has been a simple lights-to-flag victory, given how sluggish his car is when the five red lights go out.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 May 2026
As police surrounded him, blue and red lights flashing, Williams could come up with only one possible reason for an arrest.
—Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
But since the Golden Pacific Powerlink is expected to use towers 150 to 200 feet tall to carry the power lines, Fordem expects the towers would meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements to have red lights atop them that would mar the desert’s night skies and increase light pollution.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
At the time, a system of red lights on the runway that act as a warning for crossing traffic were still lit up.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
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
Cars waiting behind red lights could be heard honking at pedestrians in support.
—Alex Gladden, Oklahoman, 28 Mar. 2026
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
And none of those three wins has been a simple lights-to-flag victory, given how sluggish his car is when the five red lights go out.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 May 2026
As police surrounded him, blue and red lights flashing, Williams could come up with only one possible reason for an arrest.
—Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
But since the Golden Pacific Powerlink is expected to use towers 150 to 200 feet tall to carry the power lines, Fordem expects the towers would meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements to have red lights atop them that would mar the desert’s night skies and increase light pollution.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
At the time, a system of red lights on the runway that act as a warning for crossing traffic were still lit up.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
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
Cars waiting behind red lights could be heard honking at pedestrians in support.
—Alex Gladden, Oklahoman, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red lights
Noun
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Don’t ignore the red flags… but don’t jump to conclusions either.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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Other red flags are alterations, cross-outs or erasures.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As Chicago begins laying the groundwork for its next budget — amid warnings of deficits and difficult choices — the same familiar debate is taking shape.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
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But new research by Caplan-Auerbach and many others, published today in Science, shows that subtle clues could help provide early warnings.—
Megan I. Gannon,
Scientific American,
6 May 2026
Noun
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But there are clear signs that Miller has not backed away from his own views on immigration—including on H-2B visas.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
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And that’s evident in so many facets in museums on Route 66, in neon signs and galleries, on menus that have been there, operating for decades and decades.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Red lights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20lights. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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