as in red light
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of red flag
The public saw the admonition as a red flag.
—
Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 22 Jan. 2026
While seemingly innocuous, the approach would have been concerning enough for just about anybody in those circumstances to set off a red flag, or at least raise a yellow one.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Feeling shame about drinking or needing alcohol to cope with emotions can also be red flags.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Earlier on Tuesday, a 20-year government bond auction failed to garner sufficient interest from investors, a red flag that exposed a lack of confidence.
—Martina Di Licosa, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for red flag
Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 22 Jan. 2026
While seemingly innocuous, the approach would have been concerning enough for just about anybody in those circumstances to set off a red flag, or at least raise a yellow one.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Feeling shame about drinking or needing alcohol to cope with emotions can also be red flags.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Earlier on Tuesday, a 20-year government bond auction failed to garner sufficient interest from investors, a red flag that exposed a lack of confidence.
—Martina Di Licosa, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for red flag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flag
Noun
-
Yes, drivers are required to stop at red lights at onramp traffic meters.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
As for non-surgical treatments, red light therapy, lasers and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) can be carried out in-office to help support hair regrowth for people with androgenetic hair loss, says Kash.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Authorities previously issued warnings after multiple people reported animal sightings near the hotel the day before, according to Jam Press.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Rather than simply issuing audible or visual warnings, the car may adjust cabin lighting, seat position, climate control, or gradually come to a complete stop automatically.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There were no clear signs of things getting better, either, and with all the teams beneath and around them in the table improving, there was little choice but to make a change in the dugout.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
In a sign of confidence that an attack may be off the cards for now, oil prices fell and Gulf stock prices rose.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Red flag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flag. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
