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
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot-button
Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Paris residents will elect a new mayor on Sunday, with the city’s move to reduce car traffic a hot-button issue.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The use of generative AI has been a hot button issue in art and entertainment, and game development has been no exception.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Adjective
There are also hot-button debates about the country’s decades-long ban on nuclear energy and its strict immigration policy.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
Paris residents will elect a new mayor on Sunday, with the city’s move to reduce car traffic a hot-button issue.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
Natural gas bans have become a political hot button in California, with cities such as Berkeley moving to phase out the fossil fuel in favor of electrification.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
The use of generative AI has been a hot button issue in art and entertainment, and game development has been no exception.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
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Some Charlotte region transportation board members want a say on whether the contentious Interstate 77 South toll lane project should continue based on upcoming design changes.—
Desiree Mathurin
March 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Quebec’s identity has been contentious since the 1760s when the British completed their takeover of what was then called New France.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Someone needs to touch the third rail.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Dog Day Afternoon is the third rail of male love and loneliness—a primal scream from the sweltering streets of a stone broke New York City.—
Jenny Lumet,
Vanity Fair,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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When not giddily tearing apart the rom-com – a key conversation between Charlie and Emma happens in the trope-iest of cinematic eateries, a diner – Borgli asks really major thematic questions with his controversial subject matter.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Denver City Council members face a vote this week that will determine whether the city keeps dozens of license plate-reading cameras or ends the controversial program — at least, for now.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot-button. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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