flash point

noun

Definition of flash pointnext
1
as in volcano
a potentially explosive place or situation that troubled region remains one of the world's most dangerous flash points

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action tensions between the two longtime adversaries were at a flash point

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 flash point Beyond soccer, the WNBA has never been more culturally significant, producing a deep roster of bona fide stars while becoming a recurring political flash point. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026 And it’s been one of the country’s most visible flash points in the race to build new critical-mineral mines. — Justin Worland, Time, 4 Aug. 2026 Sophie Cunningham’s stance on protecting women’s sports has become a major flash point across the WNBA, and the backlash followed her supporters to Minnesota on Sunday. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The legendary talk show vet takes EW inside the pop cultural flash point that was his and wife Connie Chung’s attempts in the early 1990s to have a child. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
  1. volcano
  2. crisis
  3. time bomb
  4. boiling point
  5. head
  6. breaking point
  7. crunch time
Noun
  • Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 280 million people with frequent seismic activity and Sinabung is among more than 120 active volcanoes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Mount Rainier National Park, Washington Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park is named for the tallest volcano in the Cascade Range.
    — Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of volcano
Noun
  • The climate crisis is making certain types of extreme weather events both more frequent and more severe.
    — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • State health authorities who have been fighting the opioid crisis for decades are still surprised by the drop, said Evan Gumas, a senior research associate at the Commonwealth Fund.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of crisis
Noun
  • But the weapons also have a dark side that makes each a ticking time bomb for the people who wield them.
    — Jay Peters, The Verge, 13 Aug. 2026
  • During this same year, Chemours sued the other DuPont companies, claiming it had been handed a financial time bomb because of the PFAS liability it had been left with.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of time bomb
Noun
  • Zilisch’s exasperation reached a boiling point last week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That competition is about to reach its boiling point this week.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of boiling point
Noun
  • The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of head
Noun
  • Keep in mind, there is a breaking point.
    — Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Three of the Netherlands’ four goals came from this method, as Gakpo, Dumfries and Summerville stretched the Swedish defence to breaking point and opened up additional space in the middle.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 20 June 2026
Definition of breaking point
Noun
  • Does the Heat season ride on Bam being a few points better on offense this season and being a legitimate threat at crunch time?
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This is crunch time for pro personnel employees throughout the NFL.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of crunch time

Browse Nearby Words

flashlights
flash point
flash points
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Cite this Entry

“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on flash point

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flash point

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