1
as in volcano
a potentially explosive place or situation
that troubled region remains one of the world's most dangerous flash points
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flash point
The plight of the Palestinians will serve as a flash point, a symbol of inequities in the prevailing international order and, in the eyes of many across the developing world, the unfinished work of decolonization.
—
Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Beyond cultural flash points, Bluesky is also grappling with a range of brass-tacks moderation issues that come as the price of popularity.
—Kevin Collier, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
Among the major flash points this year: Breakthrough fighting in Syria throws Russia off balance and elevates Turkey.
—Colin Demarest, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024
Funding for Ukraine has been a frequent flash point in government funding negotiations since Russia’s 2022 invasion, and the spigot is likely to close upon Trump’s inauguration.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Beyond cultural flash points, Bluesky is also grappling with a range of brass-tacks moderation issues that come as the price of popularity.
—Kevin Collier, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
Among the major flash points this year: Breakthrough fighting in Syria throws Russia off balance and elevates Turkey.
—Colin Demarest, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024
Funding for Ukraine has been a frequent flash point in government funding negotiations since Russia’s 2022 invasion, and the spigot is likely to close upon Trump’s inauguration.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
Noun
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Friday's disruption was one of the most serious since the 2010 eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed clouds of ash into the atmosphere and shut Europe's airspace for days.—
BRIAN MELLEY,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
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Still, the disruption Friday fell short of the one caused by the 2010 eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed clouds of ash into the atmosphere and created trans-Atlantic air travel chaos for months.—
Danica Kirka,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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These root causes include habitat destruction, hunting and other forms of persecution, and the growing effects of the climate crisis.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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And actor Rainn Wilson is on a mission to better communicate the urgency of the climate crisis.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While the two most difficult cases of the day (so far) are buttoned up, that emotional time bomb Robby was worried about with Collins does come to pass.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2025
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There’s a great deal of tension going on because there’s a ticking time bomb element to it, but there’s also a desire for Frank to want to take River with him.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Oct. 2024
Noun
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But, recently, owning a Tesla has become awkward, embarrassing or controversial for many as animus against the carmaker’s CEO, Elon Musk, reaches a boiling point.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2025
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According to the post, tensions reached a boiling point during a family dinner.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There's always one shot that leaves a golfer shaking his or her head.—
Mike Hutton,
Post-Tribune,
19 July 2017
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Delimitros said one of the truck’s side view mirrors struck her in the head, causing minor injuries.—
David Hernandez,
sandiegouniontribune.com,
19 July 2017
Noun
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Now, more cuts threaten to push the university, and the town that depends on it, to a breaking point.—
Molly Parker,
ProPublica,
27 Mar. 2025
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In the first few episodes, fans are introduced to four couples — Brion and Shante, Ashley and Grant, Tayler and Tyler, and Alexa and Lino — all of whom are at a breaking point in their relationship.—
Charlotte Walsh,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The best teams—and the best leaders—do more than show up in crunch time.—
Don Yaeger,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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In crunch time, the Panthers continued to buckle down.—
Kyle Newman,
The Denver Post,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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