as in red flags
something that tells of approaching danger or risk
the reporter took her glower as a red light and stopped asking questions
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Recent Examples of red lights
With the incessant storms that year, bush pilots said red lights would be easier to see than the current blue ones.
—
Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
The system enforces a state law requiring other vehicles to come to a complete stop when a school bus is stopped with its stop-arm extended and red lights flashing.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
The suspect ran through red lights and swerved across several lanes on Balboa Boulevard in Encino while driving at around 80 mph before merging onto the northbound 101 Freeway.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Federal regulators also have opened yet another investigation into Tesla’s self-driving feature after dozens of incidents in which the cars ran red lights or drove on the wrong side of the road, sometimes crashing into other vehicles and causing injuries.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2025
If the emergency vehicle behind you has solid blue and red lights shining, the officer inside is patrolling the area and just wants to be visible.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
For example, orange lights mark the warm-up segment to activate body’s core, red lights are used for the toning and strength sections, while blue ones define the more relaxing cool-down and stretching bits.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Police clocked the teen driving at speeds over 100 mph without headlights and running red lights.
—Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
This probe covers dozens of dangerous driving incidents, including blowing through red lights, driving in the wrong lane of traffic, and three accidents that resulted in five injuries.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
The system enforces a state law requiring other vehicles to come to a complete stop when a school bus is stopped with its stop-arm extended and red lights flashing.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
The suspect ran through red lights and swerved across several lanes on Balboa Boulevard in Encino while driving at around 80 mph before merging onto the northbound 101 Freeway.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Federal regulators also have opened yet another investigation into Tesla’s self-driving feature after dozens of incidents in which the cars ran red lights or drove on the wrong side of the road, sometimes crashing into other vehicles and causing injuries.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Nov. 2025
If the emergency vehicle behind you has solid blue and red lights shining, the officer inside is patrolling the area and just wants to be visible.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
For example, orange lights mark the warm-up segment to activate body’s core, red lights are used for the toning and strength sections, while blue ones define the more relaxing cool-down and stretching bits.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Police clocked the teen driving at speeds over 100 mph without headlights and running red lights.
—Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
This probe covers dozens of dangerous driving incidents, including blowing through red lights, driving in the wrong lane of traffic, and three accidents that resulted in five injuries.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red lights
Noun
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Unexpected logouts or security alerts are also red flags.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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If markets were to panic about Uncle Sam’s spending, bond yields would be among the earliest red flags to go up.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Sourcing & Methodology This article was generated by software that analyzes National Weather Service warnings and advisories and creates an article based on templates created by humans.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Civil rights organizations were receiving quiet warnings from legal counsel.—
Adrianne Wright,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Members hold signs at busy traffic intersections and highway overpasses during morning and afternoon rush hours.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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Catherine O'Hara's cause of death, explained Someone experiencing a PE might not present any symptoms; common signs include shortness of breath, chest discomfort, raised heart rate and unusually low blood pressure.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Red lights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20lights. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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