point of no return

noun phrase

: the point in the flight of an aircraft beyond which the remaining fuel will be insufficient for a return to the starting point with the result that the craft must proceed

: a critical point at which turning back or reversal is not possible

Examples of point of no return in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The latest record bleaching adds to growing evidence that reefs have already passed a point of no return at just 1.3 degrees of warming. —

Reuters, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024 Like Pet Sematary where the protagonist is pushed beyond the point of no return, this one left me with nightmares! —

Sharon Virts, People.com, 5 Oct. 2024 Other observers, however, predict that momentum has already passed a point of no return and full-scale war is inevitable. —

Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2024 Triple-digits hot, even occasionally, still, passing that 110-degree point of no return. —

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for point of no return

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'point of no return.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of point of no return was in 1941

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Point of no return.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point%20of%20no%20return. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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