RED-FLAG Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

red flag

noun

Definition of red flag

as in red light

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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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.

Recent Examples of red flag Like people in other communities, attendees raised red flags about the climate concerns. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2026 Investigative Journalist Jon Marcus from The Hechinger Report breaks down why fewer than half of affected students ever finish their degrees and what red flags families should watch for. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026 The red flag warning is an update of an earlier fire weather watch alert by the agency, Sacramento Bee meteorologist Sean Macaday reported. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Hair on the floor, residue in the shower, or anything left behind by a previous guest is an immediate red flag. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for red flag

Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flag

Noun

Despite a series of warnings from the security system, the suspects continued.

— Lauren Pozen, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Researchers found cloned piracy sites displaying fake browser warnings.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of warning

Noun

But that agreement, which had already effectively collapsed, officially expired on Monday with no sign of a breakthrough and as tensions have escalated.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
On-again, off-again negotiations have shown little sign of a breakthrough, encouraging oil producers and Gulf nations to seek out other trade routes, some of which are already transporting millions of barrels each day.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of sign

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red-eyes

red flag

red flags

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“Red flag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flag. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of red flag

noun

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