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
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As an emotional wedge issue, Israel is ideal for this trans-spectrum populism. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 22 May 2026 Amazon Executive Chair Jeff Bezos on Wednesday accused politicians of villainizing the ultra-wealthy and using tax policy as a political wedge issue to distract from bigger challenges facing the country. Steve Kopack, NBC news, 20 May 2026 The campaign to undermine transgender treatments is sure to continue, in part because Republicans see transgender rights as a potent wedge issue to keep conservatives in their camp. Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 The league has also continued to eliminate team housing benefits from proposals, which has become another wedge issue, even as the salary cap has increased. Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wedge issue

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Wedge issue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wedge%20issue. Accessed 28 May. 2026.

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