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
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 12 June 2025
And Chilling Take On Orwell’s Classic Novella – Annecy Animation Festival
AI and generative AI is a hot button topic at Annecy this year.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 June 2025
Several hot button political issues are likely to drive the debate over spending as the spring legislative session goes on.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
The region has been a hot button political issue in both countries.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 16 Jan. 2025
Right now, studios seem nervous to touch hot button political issues in filmmaking.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025
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
In recent years, as retro gaming and nostalgia goggles have left everyone yearning for throwbacks, the term friction has become a hot button topic.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
Adjective
Stances on hot button topics, such as the ICE raids, didn't seem to move the needle for the more progressive or antiestablishment candidates, including Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, however.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 12 June 2025
And Chilling Take On Orwell’s Classic Novella – Annecy Animation Festival
AI and generative AI is a hot button topic at Annecy this year.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 June 2025
Several hot button political issues are likely to drive the debate over spending as the spring legislative session goes on.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
The region has been a hot button political issue in both countries.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 16 Jan. 2025
Right now, studios seem nervous to touch hot button political issues in filmmaking.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025
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
In recent years, as retro gaming and nostalgia goggles have left everyone yearning for throwbacks, the term friction has become a hot button topic.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot button
Adjective
-
Although sometimes contentious, his most recent appearance lacked the acrimony from lawmakers who had accused the director and the lottery's oversight board of misleading the Legislature about the courier companies.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
In a blowout 90-to-8 vote earlier this week, most Senate Democrats voted to open floor debate on the chamber’s first spending bill of the year, a typically less contentious measure covering military construction projects and veterans programs.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Noun
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The new law rolls back California’s landmark environmental review law to exempt urban apartment developments, an idea once considered a legislative third rail.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
-
Medicare trustees have sounded the alarm on the Hospital Trust Fund for years, though the warnings have mostly been ignored by Congress, as lawmakers view Medicare reforms as a political third rail.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Tesla, driven in part by Elon Musk’s controversial tenure at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reported a 13% decrease in sales as boycotts ate into the company’s profits.—
Earl Carr,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Why was Brooke Shields' Calvin Klein ad controversial?—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot%20button. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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