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
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
What had been an inconvenience in one direction is now a blockage for both, a potential flash point.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
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
What had been an inconvenience in one direction is now a blockage for both, a potential flash point.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
Noun
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Its volcanoes also extend further south into Antarctica.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
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Photo by haspil/Shutterstock Dominica With green mountains, active volcanoes, black-sand beaches, waterfalls, and hot springs, the true luxury of Dominica is its natural wonders.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
AFAR Media,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As the government scrambles, President Evelyn Mitchell (Angela Bassett) enlists former President George Mullen (Robert De Niro) to lead a crisis response team dubbed the Zero Day Commission.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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Thick paperwork still in my hand, the rape crisis counselor’s new underwear still on my body, a hospital band on my wrist.—
Amanda Nguyen,
TIME,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Doug is a ticking time bomb …on several levels, probably.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2025
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That would mean a country suffering from the particular malaise that’s afflicted Japan, Norway, the U.K. and elsewhere: an aging population with a dwindling worker base, essentially an economic ticking time bomb.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Context Monday's report comes as tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine reached a boiling point after Friday's contentious White House meeting between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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As the national debate over trans inclusion in girls' and women's sports has reached a boiling point in recent weeks, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has been uncharacteristically quiet on the issue.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
28 Feb. 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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Shut inside her New Jersey home, Mckinney hit a breaking point.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2025
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According to the 2025 James Beard Independent Restaurant Industry Report, independent restaurants are at a breaking point.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Without two primary ball handlers, the Kings offense turned isolation heavy in crunch time.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Mar. 2025
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In crunch time, especially in the semifinals and finals, anybody could easily see just how important those games were.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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