hot button

noun

: an emotional and usually controversial issue or concern that triggers immediate intense reaction
hot-button adjective

Examples of hot button in a Sentence

The film is considered very controversial for all the hot buttons it pushes.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Healey has sadly been a pushover to House and Senate Democrats, rarely challenging them on fiscal issues or hot button topics like the migrant crisis. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2025 While this may not be a problem in a conversation about whether dogs are superior to cats, today's hot button topics are much more likely to touch on security-significant issues such as foreign policy, immigration, diversity efforts, and even national security itself. Peter Suciu, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 While this may not be a problem in a conversation about whether dogs are superior to cats, today's hot button topics are much more likely to touch on security-significant issues such as foreign policy, immigration, diversity efforts, and even national security itself. Peter Suciu, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 While a wide range of filmmakers have embraced the potential of AI to enhance production and bring about efficiencies, the technology has been a hot button for unions given the potential risk to industry jobs. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hot button

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hot button was in 1966

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Cite this Entry

“Hot button.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hot%20button. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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