noun

flashpoint

/ˈflæʃpɔɪnt/ · say it: FLASH·point

a place or event likely to erupt into conflict

In From the Front Page

In more detail

1. (noun) a place or situation where violence or conflict is likely to happen

2. (noun) the lowest temperature at which a liquid catches fire

Examples

1. The disputed border has become a flashpoint between the two countries.
2. The flashpoint of gasoline is very low, making it extremely dangerous.

How to use flashpoint

The metaphorical sense (a place or situation likely to erupt into violence or conflict) is far more common in everyday usage than the technical scientific sense (temperature at which a liquid ignites). It typically refers to geopolitical situations, tensions between communities, or circumstances with high potential for sudden escalation. The term often appears in news reporting and policy discussions.

Common phrases

political flashpoint
ethnic flashpoint
regional flashpoint
a flashpoint for conflict
potential flashpoint
flashpoint between

Synonyms

tinderbox · powder keg · flashpoint · focal point of tension · volatile situation

Word family

flash (verb/noun) · point (noun/verb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse flashpoint with flash flood or use it as a verb (e.g., 'the situation flashpointed'), when it functions primarily as a noun.

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