wedge issue
noun
: a political issue that divides a candidate's supporters or the members of a party
Examples of wedge issue in a Sentence
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The proposal could become another wedge issue on homelessness for the two members, just as the city’s controversial anti-encampment law, Municipal Code section 41.18, was in the 2022 election.
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Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Republicans have found a wedge issue with overwhelming public support, and rather than acknowledging this reality, Democrats continue to spend political capital fighting a battle the public has already decided.
—Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
In Petro’s telling, right-wing politicians throughout the world have cynically used immigration as a wedge issue.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
The most significant wedge issue going into Thursday remains the battle over stablecoin yields.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
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Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Republicans have found a wedge issue with overwhelming public support, and rather than acknowledging this reality, Democrats continue to spend political capital fighting a battle the public has already decided.
—Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
In Petro’s telling, right-wing politicians throughout the world have cynically used immigration as a wedge issue.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
The most significant wedge issue going into Thursday remains the battle over stablecoin yields.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wedge issue
Cite this Entry
“Wedge issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wedge%20issue. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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