red-flag

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verb

ˈred-ˈflag

red-flagged; red-flagging; red-flags

Synonyms of red-flag next

transitive verb

: 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

Drug testing, detailed questions about previous employment history, and criminal-record checks go a long way toward red-flagging risks.—

Anne Fisher

We 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

red flag

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noun

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

Interested 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.

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

Though Kearse did not take legal possession of the car until Jan. 4, 1999, after his eligibility had expired, the purchase raised red flags. [=aroused suspicions of wrongdoing]—

L. Jon Wertheim

Example Sentences

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

Noun

State lawmakers have also passed red flag laws which allow authorities or family members to request a court confiscate a gun from somebody believed to pose a danger to themselves or others. —

Louis Casiano, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2023 Other proposals include raising the age to buy an assault rifle from 18 to 21, implementing red flag laws, and mandating background checks for all gun sales. —

Patrick Linehan, ABC News, 24 Jan. 2023 Nineteen states and the District of Columbia now have red flag laws, up from just two states a decade ago. —

Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2023 So is there a way to improve gun safety out of this to make sure that red flag laws are-are used? —

CBS News, 27 Nov. 2022 The research also shows there is broad support for red flag laws that implement strong due process protections. —

Bynadine El-bawab, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2022 O’Rourke supports universal background checks, red flag laws and raising the age to buy a semi-automatic rifle from 18 to 21. —

Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2022 The wet weather is the latest in a series of storms and cooler temperatures that have dropped snow on the Sierra Nevada and rain on Southern California, with strong winds that prompted authorities to issue red flag warnings throughout the region. —

Noah Goldbergstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2022 Climate change is likely on the minds of many Oregonians this month, as communities around the state continue to experience unseasonably warm temperatures in the 80s, red flag warnings and hazardous levels of wildfire smoke. —

oregonlive, 17 Oct. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'red-flag.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.