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
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Naturally, the quirky lawsuit caught the public’s attention, as did Afroman’s testimony that the music videos fell with his First Amendment rights — a hot-button topic across the States right now.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2026
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Adjective
But the main hurdle for supporters of the measure, called Question 1, will likely center on broad voter resistance to taxation amid a slew of hot-button issues in the metro.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Naturally, the quirky lawsuit caught the public’s attention, as did Afroman’s testimony that the music videos fell with his First Amendment rights — a hot-button topic across the States right now.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
The looming outfield production is still a hot button topic.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
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Investigators lay out a detailed narrative of how the farmer’s wife was killed and provide an intimate look at a couple and family in the midst of a contentious divorce.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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But Xi sent them all home without making significant concessions on the matters that have strained their relations, including concerns over Beijing’s support for Russian President Vladimir Putin or China’s unfair trade practices that threaten European industry, among other contentious matters.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Someone needs to touch the third rail.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
23 Mar. 2026
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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 5 Apr. 2026.
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