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

Recent Examples on the Web That’s true even for Latino and Hispanic voters — long seen as being the voting group most amenable to a pro-immigrant, Democratic message — and it’s being used as a wedge issue by Republicans among Black voters as well. Christian Paz, Vox, 25 Sep. 2024 Republicans fear that Obama's ultimate political ambition is to break the back of the modern GOP, and the defense budget is the ultimate wedge issue to do the job. Bret Stephens, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2013 It’s become an effective wedge issue for right-wing politicians around the world. Mark Gongloff, The Mercury News, 28 June 2024 So Republicans certainly see it as a wedge issue culturally. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 28 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for wedge issue 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wedge issue.' 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

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wedge issue was in 1982

Dictionary Entries Near wedge issue

Cite this Entry

“Wedge issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wedge%20issue. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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