as in red lights
something that tells of approaching danger or risk
the résumé she accidentally left on the office printer was a red flag that she was planning to quit
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Recent Examples of red flags
Don’t ignore the red flags… but don’t jump to conclusions either.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Other red flags are alterations, cross-outs or erasures.
—Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
From stagflation warnings and stalled Iran talks to rising oil prices, red flags are everywhere.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026
But Don always saw the red flags.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 28 Apr. 2026
The Nuremberg rallies were simply political stage plays, with music from Wagner, drums, symmetrical marching formations, red flags, and gatherings often held in darkness to heighten the mood.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
The survey found 95% of Oregon’s voting-age population registered, which raised red flags in a state where every voter is mailed a ballot.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Later searches also raised red flags to deputies, according to the filing.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Other red flags that indicate a partner may kill include unemployment, substance use, problematic drinking, controlling or jealous behavior, abuse during pregnancy, rape and prior threats of suicide or with weapons.
—Kathryn Spearman, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Other red flags are alterations, cross-outs or erasures.
—Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
From stagflation warnings and stalled Iran talks to rising oil prices, red flags are everywhere.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026
But Don always saw the red flags.
—Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 28 Apr. 2026
The Nuremberg rallies were simply political stage plays, with music from Wagner, drums, symmetrical marching formations, red flags, and gatherings often held in darkness to heighten the mood.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
The survey found 95% of Oregon’s voting-age population registered, which raised red flags in a state where every voter is mailed a ballot.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Later searches also raised red flags to deputies, according to the filing.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Other red flags that indicate a partner may kill include unemployment, substance use, problematic drinking, controlling or jealous behavior, abuse during pregnancy, rape and prior threats of suicide or with weapons.
—Kathryn Spearman, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flags
Noun
-
But since the Golden Pacific Powerlink is expected to use towers 150 to 200 feet tall to carry the power lines, Fordem expects the towers would meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements to have red lights atop them that would mar the desert’s night skies and increase light pollution.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
At the time, a system of red lights on the runway that act as a warning for crossing traffic were still lit up.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For Durnell and thousands of others who say Roundup caused their cancers, the Supreme Court’s ruling could determine whether consumers retain the ability to challenge product safety warnings in court.—
Christiana Freitag,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The workforce warnings, in particular, are getting louder, with a mix of smart alerts and a cacophony of cliches.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With most dogs showing signs of dental disease by age three, simple, low-effort solutions are gaining traction among pet owners looking for consistency without adding complexity.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Sources with knowledge of the case previously told Fox News Digital there were no signs of a struggle inside.—
Michael Ruiz , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Red flags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flags. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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