as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
tensions between the two nations had risen to the breaking point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 breaking point
If the Trump administration continues to create a sense of uncertainty about the U.S. security guarantee to South Korea, for example, leaders in Seoul could reach a breaking point.
—
Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Plans from earlier this month will hit a breaking point.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025
Things reached a breaking point during a baking session in her kitchen.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 22 June 2025
Israeli military assaults on the Gaza Strip’s hospitals have ramped up in recent weeks to the highest level so far this year, bringing a health system already weakened by 19 months of war to a breaking point.
—Nick Duffy, NBC news, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for breaking point
Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Plans from earlier this month will hit a breaking point.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025
Things reached a breaking point during a baking session in her kitchen.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 22 June 2025
Israeli military assaults on the Gaza Strip’s hospitals have ramped up in recent weeks to the highest level so far this year, bringing a health system already weakened by 19 months of war to a breaking point.
—Nick Duffy, NBC news, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for breaking point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking point
Noun
-
The Carpenters’ involvement has given some Democratic lawmakers the opportunity to address the housing crisis with the blessing of a construction union.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
-
Instead of fixing California, Newsom has been busy creating new crises.—
Melissa Melendez,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
In 1967: Violent riots erupted as racial tensions reached a boiling point on the streets of Newark, New Jersey.—
DAILY BRIEFING,
AZCentral.com,
12 July 2025
-
The Pascal craze came to a boiling point last month when a lookalike contest was held in New York City, as part of a growing trend that brings out doppelgängers of our most sought out celebs.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
There's always one shot that leaves a golfer shaking his or her head.—
Mike Hutton,
Post-Tribune,
19 July 2017
-
Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.—
John Roach,
NOLA.com,
19 July 2017
Noun
-
These minerals, key to electronic components and batteries, have become a new flash point in trade relations.—
Brit Morse,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
-
Abrego Garcia became a flash point over President Trump’s immigration policies when he was deported in March to a notorious megaprison in El Salvador.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breaking point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20point. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share