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
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
Through all these threads, The Audacity throws itself headlong at some of tech’s biggest hot-button topics, including privacy, AI and, in an oddly halfhearted subplot involving JoAnne’s son, Everett Bliunck’s Orson, the manosphere, with an eye as cold as its characters.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 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
He's been vague on some hot-button issues While Magyar campaigned largely on fighting corruption, restoring democratic norms and reviving Hungary's economy, his stance on some other divisive issues is less clear.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
Through all these threads, The Audacity throws itself headlong at some of tech’s biggest hot-button topics, including privacy, AI and, in an oddly halfhearted subplot involving JoAnne’s son, Everett Bliunck’s Orson, the manosphere, with an eye as cold as its characters.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 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
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Just getting to this point, with passage out of the House, has been contentious, says Andrew Schmidt, director of governmental affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
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The contentious exchange did not result in a handshake between the Israeli and Palestinian representatives, nor a photo featuring the two, but instead a plea from Infantino for the two nations to take part in an Under-15 tournament organized by FIFA in the future.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 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
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Two postseasons ago, Joel Embiid rankled Knicks fans during a hyper-testy first-round series in which the Philadelphia 76ers star engaged in multiple controversial plays — none bigger than him pulling Mitchell Robinson to the ground.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
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Prior attempts to update the 2024 law have been some of the most controversial efforts in the legislature, leading to high drama at both the end of the 2025 regular session and earning a place in the governor’s call for a special session last summer.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot-button. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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