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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in third rail
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 hot-button
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
The high court, which tries to dispense of pending cases by the end of June, has an unusually large number of decisions pending, particularly on hot button issues.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 20 June 2024
Sea level rise — mostly due to glacial melt largely caused by anthropogenic climate change — has been a hot button topic for the past half century.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Known for biting jokes that dance around hot button topics including sexism and feminism — but also weed, animals, and The Real Housewives — Treyger recently wrapped filming on Season 2 of Survival of the Thickest, Netflix’s comedy series based on Michelle Buteau’s bestseller of the same name.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Noun
Why Disney’s Bob Iger is trying to avoid hot buttons
Walt Disney Co. and Chief Executive Bob Iger have made a sharp pivot since doubling-down on diversity and inclusion efforts in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis 4½ years ago.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
The high court, which tries to dispense of pending cases by the end of June, has an unusually large number of decisions pending, particularly on hot button issues.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 20 June 2024
Sea level rise — mostly due to glacial melt largely caused by anthropogenic climate change — has been a hot button topic for the past half century.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Known for biting jokes that dance around hot button topics including sexism and feminism — but also weed, animals, and The Real Housewives — Treyger recently wrapped filming on Season 2 of Survival of the Thickest, Netflix’s comedy series based on Michelle Buteau’s bestseller of the same name.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
-
The Keller school board has reversed course on a contentious proposal to split the district in two after backlash including, among other reactions, allegations and lawsuits related to possible violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act.—
Cody Copeland and,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The scene turned so contentious and hostile that security had to escort Edwards from the building.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
There was significant damage to BART’s third rail and track infrastructure, which were repaired after the vehicle was removed.—
Harry Harris,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The proposal would repeal a controversial 2022 law that provided exemptions to public-records and public-meetings laws for presidential searches.—
Jim Saunders,
Orlando Sentinel,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The state was the first to authorize the controversial new execution method nitrogen hypoxia in 2015, but to date has never used it.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot-button. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share