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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in third rail
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hot-button
Talya Zax, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
The president’s deployments of the National Guard appear poised to remain a hot-button issue at the courts heading into 2026, even as other legal battles against the president’s actions and agenda continue.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 14 Dec. 2025
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
And one of our roles is to put out a large volume of intellectually honest, unbiased polling data that will illustrate where the American people are on a range of hot button topics.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Adjective
The project’s more progressive features turned it into a hot-button issue in the Capitol.
—Talya Zax, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
The president’s deployments of the National Guard appear poised to remain a hot-button issue at the courts heading into 2026, even as other legal battles against the president’s actions and agenda continue.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 14 Dec. 2025
Noun
Freedom of expression and issues of self-censorship were leitmotifs of this year’s Zurich Summit, with execs discussing attacks on cultural pluralism and as well as attitudes to hot button films.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
And one of our roles is to put out a large volume of intellectually honest, unbiased polling data that will illustrate where the American people are on a range of hot button topics.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
-
This sparked a contentious debate about whether our species originally emerged outside of Africa, before returning there.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
His resignation comes after last month's trial in which inflammatory texts Phelps sent during contentious revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Hyundai was lodged in the westbound trackway, and there was visible damage to the track and the electric third rail.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
16 Dec. 2025
-
Three, the third rail of immigration keeps closing in.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The Golden Globes' new category drew backlash after controversial stars Joe Rogan, Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly, and more made the eligibility shortlist.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
-
These ingredients appear on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ list of pregnancy-safe options but are slightly more controversial, so check with your ob-gyn first.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot-button. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share