as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
the new plan raises a number of hot-button issues that are sure to get voters riled up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in third rail
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot button
Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
The region has been a hot button political issue in both countries.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 16 Jan. 2025
Right now, studios seem nervous to touch hot button political issues in filmmaking.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025
Corporate support at Pride events has been a hot button issue in years past, with some community members arguing against the commercialization of Pride given its origins as a protest.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
The Connecticut Legislature passed numerous bills this session on hot button issues including immigration, child care and special education.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2025
In recent years, as retro gaming and nostalgia goggles have left everyone yearning for throwbacks, the term friction has become a hot button topic.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
His pastoral positions, though, are not well known, as he's rarely spoken out on some of the church's hot button issues.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Healey has sadly been a pushover to House and Senate Democrats, rarely challenging them on fiscal issues or hot button topics like the migrant crisis.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Several hot button political issues are likely to drive the debate over spending as the spring legislative session goes on.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
The region has been a hot button political issue in both countries.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 16 Jan. 2025
Right now, studios seem nervous to touch hot button political issues in filmmaking.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025
Corporate support at Pride events has been a hot button issue in years past, with some community members arguing against the commercialization of Pride given its origins as a protest.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
The Connecticut Legislature passed numerous bills this session on hot button issues including immigration, child care and special education.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2025
In recent years, as retro gaming and nostalgia goggles have left everyone yearning for throwbacks, the term friction has become a hot button topic.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
His pastoral positions, though, are not well known, as he's rarely spoken out on some of the church's hot button issues.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 6 May 2025
Healey has sadly been a pushover to House and Senate Democrats, rarely challenging them on fiscal issues or hot button topics like the migrant crisis.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot button
Adjective
-
Hearing From The Other Side Like most important aspects of life, there are two sides to this contentious coin.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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One of the more contentious aspects of passing the bill was what to do with the cap on state and local tax deductions, or the SALT cap.—
Alicia Adamczyk,
Fortune,
4 July 2025
Noun
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Medicare trustees have sounded the alarm on the Hospital Trust Fund for years, though the warnings have mostly been ignored by Congress, as lawmakers view Medicare reforms as a political third rail.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
18 June 2025
-
The two Tennessee administrators had just stepped on the third rail of college sports.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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The timing coincides with Iran's controversial suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and reports of major internet disruptions across the country, suggesting ongoing tensions and potential preparations for future diplomatic or military developments.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
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Delegates avoided any controversial subjects that might trigger Washington’s ire, analysts said.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20button. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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