1
as in volcano
a potentially explosive place or situation
that troubled region remains one of the world's most dangerous flash points
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 flash point
While use of the Latin Mass remains a flash point, a controversy in the rapidly growing Diocese of Charlotte, N.C., has raised questions about the status of other liturgical traditions and symbols.
—
Arkansas Online, 7 June 2025
Who would have thought Oklahoma City would become a flash point of foot fashion.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Changes to Medicaid benefits and new work requirements will mean higher healthcare costs and less eligibility, creating a flash point in the broader debate over the bill.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2025
The June 14 event is shaping up as a flash point for tensions between Trump's critics and supporters.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Arkansas Online, 7 June 2025
Who would have thought Oklahoma City would become a flash point of foot fashion.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Changes to Medicaid benefits and new work requirements will mean higher healthcare costs and less eligibility, creating a flash point in the broader debate over the bill.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2025
The June 14 event is shaping up as a flash point for tensions between Trump's critics and supporters.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for flash point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash point
Noun
-
The team analyzed 130 rock samples from volcanoes in the Afar region.—
Nora Bradford,
Scientific American,
7 July 2025
-
Geologists recorded an avalanche of searing gas clouds mixed with rocks and lava traveling up to 3 miles down the volcano's slopes during the eruption.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
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
-
The combination of financial illiteracy and problematic money management leads many to be unaware of the ticking time bombs which underlie their financial circumstances.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
-
The time bomb is ticking—and consumers should begin bracing for the explosion.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 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
-
Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.—
J. Harry Jones,
Ramona Sentinel,
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
-
The whole family does it, today someone finally had a breaking point.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
-
As a result, the security awareness space is reaching a breaking point.—
Uzair Ahmed,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
But a series of lousy draft picks and a lack of an attractive infrastructure — that imaginary permanent practice facility is being built any day now! — have kept them from acquiring the sort of superstars that carry teams in crunch time, the kind of difference-makers this town deserves.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2025
-
In crunch time, the Thunder successfully countered the Pacers’ blitzing coverage on the MVP by having Williams sit in the weak-side slot.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flash point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash%20point. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share