as in hot button
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of third rail
Goalie interference is the third rail of the NHL, the most gray area the league has to judge — just look at the end of the second period, when Anders Lee’s goal was upheld on a Columbus challenge after some jostling with Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins.
—
Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
There are billions of dollars in potential savings from MA changes, but the program is a political third rail given the influence of insurers and the perils of igniting attacks about cutting Medicare.
—Peter Sullivan, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
Reducing tangible benefits — beyond mere waste and fraud — risks touching a political third rail.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
The threat of severe cutbacks amid those entitlements, long considered a third rail in U.S. politics, has angered some Trump allies.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for third rail
Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
There are billions of dollars in potential savings from MA changes, but the program is a political third rail given the influence of insurers and the perils of igniting attacks about cutting Medicare.
—Peter Sullivan, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
Reducing tangible benefits — beyond mere waste and fraud — risks touching a political third rail.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
The threat of severe cutbacks amid those entitlements, long considered a third rail in U.S. politics, has angered some Trump allies.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for third rail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for third rail
Noun
-
Corporate support at Pride events has been a hot button issue in years past, with some community members arguing against the commercialization of Pride given its origins as a protest.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
-
The Connecticut Legislature passed numerous bills this session on hot button issues including immigration, child care and special education.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
What a ticking time bomb today’s Americans are leaving to our children.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
-
Mahnaz’s son is a Tasmanian devil spinning his ticking time bomb energy into entrepreneurial pursuits (running a gambling ring at school), bullying classmates and yelling at any adult that interferes with his forcefield.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Trump ‘packed the powder keg’ Officials acknowledged people in Connecticut had taken into custody by ICE.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 2025
-
However, internal conflict between the brash younger generation and the old-school leadership threatens to set a match to this powder keg, which will sweep the Westies into the FBI’s ever-deepening investigation into the Italian mafia.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
That game, which began with three fights in the first minute, was a cultural flash point for hockey and brought significantly more interest in the tournament than expected.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 June 2025
-
While the impact of a costlier iPhone likely wouldn't mean much from a larger economic perspective, the saber-rattling underscores the volatility of trade policy and provides another flash point for a market already unnerved by worries about fiscal policy that have sent bond yields sharply higher.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Third rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/third%20rail. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share