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
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Recent Examples of breaking point
For some musicians, this could be a final breaking point to seek shelter and a livelihood elsewhere.
—
August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
The public schools elsewhere in the territory — mostly run by the Palestinian Authority government — are already near breaking point with 650,000 students.
—Jack Nicas, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
But in 2024, a potentially critical mass of tech workers seemed to reach a breaking point.
—Ars Technica, 28 Dec. 2024
Head Start may not get support for its teachers and other staff; teen smoking may increase; lead may remain in drinking water; and climate change may reach a breaking point unless and until Congress comes to its senses.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for breaking point 
August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025
The public schools elsewhere in the territory — mostly run by the Palestinian Authority government — are already near breaking point with 650,000 students.
—Jack Nicas, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
But in 2024, a potentially critical mass of tech workers seemed to reach a breaking point.
—Ars Technica, 28 Dec. 2024
Head Start may not get support for its teachers and other staff; teen smoking may increase; lead may remain in drinking water; and climate change may reach a breaking point unless and until Congress comes to its senses.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for breaking point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking point
Noun
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The case raises concerns about whether officers receive sufficient instruction on identifying and responding to medical crises.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
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The Trump administration says dismantling the agency is grounded in efforts to save government money, though some experts have warned that freezing its funds will intensify global humanitarian crises.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Their sibling tension reached a boiling point at a recent family dinner after her parents announced plans for a vacation to celebrate their anniversary.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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The conflict between Brigham Young and Jim Bridger has also been heating up to a boiling point that’s sure to end in violence.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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Delimitros said one of the truck’s side view mirrors struck her in the head, causing minor injuries.—
David Hernandez,
sandiegouniontribune.com,
19 July 2017
Noun
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The move comes after Republican officials ramped up efforts to turn the 2021 order into a partisan flash point ahead of the 2024 election.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
20 Jan. 2025
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The plight of the Palestinians will serve as a flash point, a symbol of inequities in the prevailing international order and, in the eyes of many across the developing world, the unfinished work of decolonization.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near breaking point
Cite this Entry
“Breaking point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20point. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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