flash point
noun
1
: the lowest temperature at which vapors above a volatile combustible substance ignite in air when exposed to flame
2
: a point at which someone or something bursts suddenly into action or being
Examples of flash point in a Sentence
The city became a flash point as political tensions grew.
The situation reached a flash point when union leaders urged the workers to protest.
Recent Examples on the Web
The case became a flash point in the nation’s debate over racial injustice and crime, as well as the city’s ongoing struggle to deal with homelessness and mental health crises in a transit system used by millions of New Yorkers every day.
—
Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Today, however, Maduro remains in power, and a surge in Venezuelan immigrants has emerged as a flash point in the U.S. presidential election.
—Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
Among the flash points driving Christians into Republican arms were federal court rulings supporting and IRS policy to deny tax exemptions to segregationist schools.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
Many flash points remain along the border and could be reactivated at any time by Xi’s aggressive regime.
—Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flash point 
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.
Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Today, however, Maduro remains in power, and a surge in Venezuelan immigrants has emerged as a flash point in the U.S. presidential election.
—Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
Among the flash points driving Christians into Republican arms were federal court rulings supporting and IRS policy to deny tax exemptions to segregationist schools.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
Many flash points remain along the border and could be reactivated at any time by Xi’s aggressive regime.
—Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flash point
Dictionary Entries Near flash point
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flash%20point. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share