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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hot-button
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025
But given the enduring complexities of Israeli-Palestinian coexistence and the cultural hot button that campus protests became over the past two years, Hollywood — like much of America — is not in lockstep on how to call for peace in Gaza.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
But aid to Ukraine has become a hot button in Washington, splitting lawmakers, some from the same party.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
Created by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in 1978, the ice cream brand has long been known for speaking out on hot button issues, key among them climate change.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Noun
While a wide range of filmmakers have embraced the potential of AI to enhance production and bring about efficiencies, the technology has been a hot button for unions given the potential risk to industry jobs.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025
But given the enduring complexities of Israeli-Palestinian coexistence and the cultural hot button that campus protests became over the past two years, Hollywood — like much of America — is not in lockstep on how to call for peace in Gaza.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
But aid to Ukraine has become a hot button in Washington, splitting lawmakers, some from the same party.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
Created by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in 1978, the ice cream brand has long been known for speaking out on hot button issues, key among them climate change.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
-
This is a flawed sin; trying to make something happen in a contentious area with a bunch of people who had their own history.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
-
On contentious problems like TikTok’s status in America, Trump has already bucked political orthodoxy, delaying a ban repeatedly to convince China to allow its sale.—
J. Tedford Tyler,
Time,
17 May 2025
Noun
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Centering African-American stories and characters, DuVernay’s films frequently come into contact with the third rails of American history, such as incarceration, segregation and slavery.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 May 2025
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Social Security is the third rail of American politics Social Security advocates say Trump and Musk, the tech billionaire, are learning a lesson absorbed by many politicians and policy wonks before them.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Customer interest surged after a (controversial) quantum supremacy claim and Jülich sale.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
-
Newsrooms fracture over publishing controversial views.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot-button. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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