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Recent Examples of third rail
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
The dog was discovered on the tracks next to the third rail and was pronounced dead at the scene, NYPD told the outlets.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Disregarding the out-of-joint 2021 Finals, which were bumped up to July by the pandemic, Saturday has been a third rail for the NBA for the better part of the last 45 years.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Jan. 2026
An equipment problem Wednesday morning that curtailed power to BART’s electric third rail caused the closure of a portion of one of its travel lines for about 95 minutes, officials said.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for third rail
Jenny Lumet, Vanity Fair, 10 Feb. 2026
The dog was discovered on the tracks next to the third rail and was pronounced dead at the scene, NYPD told the outlets.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Disregarding the out-of-joint 2021 Finals, which were bumped up to July by the pandemic, Saturday has been a third rail for the NBA for the better part of the last 45 years.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Jan. 2026
An equipment problem Wednesday morning that curtailed power to BART’s electric third rail caused the closure of a portion of one of its travel lines for about 95 minutes, officials said.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for third rail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for third rail
Noun
-
In Florida, the construction of data centers has become a hot button issue, with state lawmakers passing a bill adding guardrails intended to protect residents from increases to their electric bills and risks to water supply.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The use of generative AI to recreate Kilmer for the historical drama based on archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris became a hot button topic when the filmmakers announced it last month.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Can people avoid the ticking HSA tax time bomb?—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
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That is a real fiscal time bomb that could set off generational warfare in Washington.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Ferreira is the lone outsider, a friend of the youngest son, Johnny, who gets thrown into a powder keg of a holiday.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Lane takes his place among the best, his Willy Loman a powder keg of frustration and disappointment and deep, deep sadness.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Death is often a flash point for communal anger.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
29 May 2026
-
That’s a huge flash point in American society, far beyond this play.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Third rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/third%20rail. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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