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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
-
Neighbors said the drunken Queens man who broke into his estranged wife’s home and set off a gas explosion seemed like anything but a ticking time bomb.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
-
Regulators and former employees call it one of the most notorious chameleon schemes — a ticking time bomb on our nation's roadways.—
Ashley Velie,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 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
-
Despite the focus on the Middle East, the leaders took up major regional flash points, including the South China Sea territorial disputes involving Beijing, a five-year civil war in Myanmar and a recent border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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Sidewalks and paths were another flash point, with Council Member Chris Allgood pressing the developer to help fill gaps along Montana Avenue so students can safely walk between Gem State Adventist Academy and nearby public schools.—
Noah Daly
May 7,
Idaho Statesman,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Third rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/third%20rail. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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