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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in third rail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot-button
Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 1 Oct. 2024
What’s more, DEI has become a political hot button for conservatives.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
Exactly how EVs have become such a hot button issue is hard to pin on a single event or ideology (misinformation and hostile rhetoric both play a role).
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 30 Sep. 2024
Inflation will remain a hot button issue during the presidential campaign this fall that GOP candidate Trump knows could hurt Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats in 2024.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hot-button 
Noun
The new hot button is seen integrated into the caps key.
—Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 1 Oct. 2024
What’s more, DEI has become a political hot button for conservatives.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
Exactly how EVs have become such a hot button issue is hard to pin on a single event or ideology (misinformation and hostile rhetoric both play a role).
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 30 Sep. 2024
Inflation will remain a hot button issue during the presidential campaign this fall that GOP candidate Trump knows could hurt Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats in 2024.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
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On the backdrop of a contentious presidential election and with some of the Bay Area’s local and congressional races drawing national attention, the West Valley’s local races were quiet by comparison.Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
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Voting has concluded in one of the most contentious U.S. presidential elections in recent history.Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Yet reining them in has proved to be a political third rail.Gordon Adams, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2010
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Protecting Social Security and Medicare: Trump has pledged not to touch the third rail of politics, even floating a plan to cut Social Security taxes for seniors.Axios, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Adding more gasoline to the fire, a controversial jail diversion project — which both candidates opposed — near the district’s borders became a political issue in the race.Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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Trump, meanwhile, leaned on some famous Black male supporters, including controversial former NFL standouts Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, while also pitching himself to men in general through social media influencers, creators and podcasters.Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hot-button
Cite this Entry
“Hot-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot-button. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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