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
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Recent Examples of hot-button
Linh Tat, Daily News, 14 May 2026
Free speech at center of lawsuit Free speech related to criticism of Israel has been a hot-button issue in Miami Beach.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
Missing from the speech were several hot button issues that have consumed his administration’s HHS over the last few months, including shifting vaccine mandates and major cuts to health and science funding.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Adjective
Over 90 minutes, the candidates will be asked to weigh in on hot-button issues, including affordability, housing, public safety, climate, education and healthcare.
—Linh Tat, Daily News, 14 May 2026
Free speech at center of lawsuit Free speech related to criticism of Israel has been a hot-button issue in Miami Beach.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Noun
The issue of private equity investment in health care facilities has been a hot button topic in Connecticut recently.
—Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
Missing from the speech were several hot button issues that have consumed his administration’s HHS over the last few months, including shifting vaccine mandates and major cuts to health and science funding.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
-
Firpi has appeared as either a psychological evaluator or guardian ad litem in numerous contentious custody battles.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
-
Water use is emerging as one of the most contentious data center issues.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
EMUs are faster and can often carry more people, but require overhead catenary lines or a third rail, while the battery electric locomotives can be used on non-electrified track by charging their batteries, reducing the infrastructure investment.—
State House News Service,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
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That train also hit debris — potentially a loose section of the third rail, sources told The News.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The 2001-02 Kings finished 61-21 to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference and pushed the Lakers to a seventh game in one of the most controversial conference finals in NBA history, a series Kings fans still believe was rigged against them.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
-
University officials based the invites on opinion polls and a controversial campaign fundraising formula.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot-button. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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