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
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 12 June 2025
And Chilling Take On Orwell’s Classic Novella – Annecy Animation Festival
AI and generative AI is a hot button topic at Annecy this year.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 June 2025
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
Adjective
Stances on hot button topics, such as the ICE raids, didn't seem to move the needle for the more progressive or antiestablishment candidates, including Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, however.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 12 June 2025
And Chilling Take On Orwell’s Classic Novella – Annecy Animation Festival
AI and generative AI is a hot button topic at Annecy this year.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 June 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot button
Adjective
-
After a six-hour contentious hearing in 2023, the CPUC approved both companies to operate at any hour of the day and charge for rides.—
Lia Russell
Updated July 14,
Sacbee.com,
14 July 2025
-
With billions allocated for new hiring, the scale of ICE's growth could reshape immigration enforcement for years to come and will likely remain at the center of a contentious national debate.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
The new law rolls back California’s landmark environmental review law to exempt urban apartment developments, an idea once considered a legislative third rail.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
-
Medicare trustees have sounded the alarm on the Hospital Trust Fund for years, though the warnings have mostly been ignored by Congress, as lawmakers view Medicare reforms as a political third rail.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Paxton, the controversial state attorney general who survived an impeachment trial last year, is running against long-serving Senator John Cornyn.—
Karlyn Bowman,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Ryan Murphy’s controversial nine-episode series, looking at the wealthy brothers who in 1989 gunned down and killed their parents in their Beverly Hills home and were later imprisoned for life without parole, was nominated for outstanding limited or anthology series.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20button. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share