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
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Recent Examples of red flag
Fortunately, there are ways to recognize red flags that indicate suspicious job descriptions.
—
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Olfactory red flags Not all odor changes are normal, experts warn.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
The third free practice at Silverstone saw two red flags in the final ten minutes, bringing the session to an abrupt halt.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Watch for common red flags: Be cautious of sudden friend requests from unfamiliar accounts, vague messages that mention surprise winnings, poor grammar or any pressure to act quickly.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for red flag
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Olfactory red flags Not all odor changes are normal, experts warn.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
The third free practice at Silverstone saw two red flags in the final ten minutes, bringing the session to an abrupt halt.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Watch for common red flags: Be cautious of sudden friend requests from unfamiliar accounts, vague messages that mention surprise winnings, poor grammar or any pressure to act quickly.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for red flag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flag
Noun
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However, a Chinese diplomat ran a red light in central Prague while trying to maintain surveillance of the Taiwanese delegation.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
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Detectives also found Lumpkin had run a red light just before the fatal crash four blocks away and nearly struck two cars.—
Isabel Rivera,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2025
Noun
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The warning came after the department discovered that an impostor posing as Rubio had attempted to reach out to at least three foreign ministers, a U.S. senator and a governor, according to the July 3 cable, which was first reported by The Washington Post.—
Matthew Lee,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
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Beijing’s trade war with Washington has dominated attention, and Chinese officials previously downplayed the myriad long-term risks to growth, making the latest warnings notable.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Isaacman is a friend of Elon Musk, and the move was seen as the first sign of the rift between Trump and Musk that widened as the two men publicly feuded over a sweeping tax and spending package central to Trump’s second term agenda.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
10 July 2025
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Lawn will show signs when something isn't right and its care needs aren't being met.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Red flag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flag. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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