red-flagged; red-flagging; red-flags
: to identify or draw attention to (a problem or issue to be dealt with)
Those who voice the most displeasure in their marriage, are more likely to complain about their partner's weight, Newport adds, which may help counselors red-flag weakening relationships before it's too late.—
Matthew J. Cravatta
Matthew J. CravattaDrug testing, detailed questions about previous employment history, and criminal-record checks go a long way toward red-flagging risks.—Anne Fisher
Anne FisherWe met, we got along great, and I [Spike Lee] told her, "Not only do I want you to work with the actors, but I want you to look at this script. I am a man, and I know there's going to be stuff in there that's strictly from a male viewpoint—I want you to red-flag that stuff."—Anne Stockwell
Anne Stockwell
plural red flags
: a warning signal or sign
A high body-mass index is a red flag in general to clinicians. But sudden, unexplained weight loss can be even more worrisome.—Melinda Beck
: something that indicates or draws attention to a problem, danger, or irregularity
Melinda BeckInterested large investors often send in their own CPAs to conduct complete audits to verify statements or to spot red flags, such as excessively old inventory or uncollectible accounts receivable.—Inc.
Inc.Whether you're dating a potential gold digger or are surrounded by friends who are constantly asking for handouts, you'll want to protect your money from those kinds of drains. Watch out for red flags such as dishonesty, secrecy around money matters and requests to co-sign a loan.—Kimberly Palmer
Kimberly PalmerThe sham citations … immediately raised red flags [=aroused suspicions of wrongdoing] for those familiar with the local parking schedule.—Nathan Solis
see also red flag law
Nathan SolisExamples of red-flag in a Sentence
Noun
Gaps in your employment history are red flags to employers.
the résumé she accidentally left on the office printer was a red flag that she was planning to quit
Recent Examples on the Web
Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Recognize the red flags of sabotage, plan your next chapter, and prepare to ride the wave to your big exit.
—Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Right now, snowpack across the state is at historic lows for late January, raising red flags statewide.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
The on-ice results raise plenty of red flags.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for red-flag
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.
Noun
There's some red flags to look out for to make sure your trip goes smoothly.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Recognize the red flags of sabotage, plan your next chapter, and prepare to ride the wave to your big exit.
—Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Right now, snowpack across the state is at historic lows for late January, raising red flags statewide.
—Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
The on-ice results raise plenty of red flags.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for red-flag
Cite this Entry
“Red-flag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red-flag. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
