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 Kapadia incident was the latest flash point between Grierson and the Jewish community.
—
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
The company’s latest offer includes reinstating an annual bonus that averaged around 3.7% of wages and was dropped from the initial agreement, a flash point that striking Machinists cited repeatedly in interviews.
—Julie Johnsson, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2024
As public benefits are a source of controversy in every election year, current proposals to give Medicare recipients long term care at home is certain to be a continuing political flash point.
—Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
The outpost, a World War II–era ship called the Sierra Madre, which Manila intentionally grounded a quarter-century ago on the shallow reef known as Second Thomas Shoal, has emerged as an unlikely but critical flash point.
—Marites Dañguilan Vitug, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flash point 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
The company’s latest offer includes reinstating an annual bonus that averaged around 3.7% of wages and was dropped from the initial agreement, a flash point that striking Machinists cited repeatedly in interviews.
—Julie Johnsson, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2024
As public benefits are a source of controversy in every election year, current proposals to give Medicare recipients long term care at home is certain to be a continuing political flash point.
—Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
The outpost, a World War II–era ship called the Sierra Madre, which Manila intentionally grounded a quarter-century ago on the shallow reef known as Second Thomas Shoal, has emerged as an unlikely but critical flash point.
—Marites Dañguilan Vitug, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 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 15 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share