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
-
That was displayed during a contentious exchange between Sen. Ted Cruz and conservative media figure Tucker Carlson.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
-
The topic of banning phones at gigs has been a contentious one over the years, with artists wishing for fans to live in the moment, and fans desiring a chance to memorialize their concert experiences.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
Changes to Medicaid have proven contentious, and Medicare is often considered a political third rail.—
Joseph Choi,
The Hill,
5 June 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
The other shoe dropped with an unsettling thud recently when White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt openly gay-bashed in defense of her controversial boss.—
Louis Balsamo,
Baltimore Sun,
25 June 2025
-
However, the Trump administration did briefly propose a controversial 100% tariff on films made abroad to discourage runaway production.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20button. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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