as in hot button
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Recent Examples of third rail
As previously reported by The News, more than 3,000 riders were stranded in December when the State St. power transformer exploded under Downtown Brooklyn, cutting power to the third rail of the F and the G lines.
—
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025
In political discourse, DEI became the ultimate third rail.
—Sheilla Mamona, refinery29.com, 18 Feb. 2025
For decades, transfer remained the third rail of Israeli politics - so extreme, so indefensible, that it could not be spoken of in polite company.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
The Times reported that if Lynskey or his clothes had touched the third rail, which runs outside the track and electrifies the subway, chances are he would've been electrocuted.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for third rail
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025
In political discourse, DEI became the ultimate third rail.
—Sheilla Mamona, refinery29.com, 18 Feb. 2025
For decades, transfer remained the third rail of Israeli politics - so extreme, so indefensible, that it could not be spoken of in polite company.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
The Times reported that if Lynskey or his clothes had touched the third rail, which runs outside the track and electrifies the subway, chances are he would've been electrocuted.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for third rail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for third rail
Noun
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Hitting hot button issues with fresh insight and hysterical precision, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele revealed themselves to be two of the best comedy writers in the business, leading to a Peabody Award, two Emmy Awards, and millions of fans.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2025
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French media chronology remains a hot button topic as global streamers have shaken up the landscape since their entry into the country.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While the two most difficult cases of the day (so far) are buttoned up, that emotional time bomb Robby was worried about with Collins does come to pass.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2025
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There’s a great deal of tension going on because there’s a ticking time bomb element to it, but there’s also a desire for Frank to want to take River with him.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Oct. 2024
Noun
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By the time Canada skated against the United States in the group game in Montreal, the atmosphere was akin to a powder keg.—
Don Riddell,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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Her fluffy, frivolous style works well for Isla, who is a giggly pretty princess most of the time but a powder keg of anger when threatened.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As Trump, in collaboration with Elon Musk, has embarked on efforts to decimate the federal government, public political gatherings—in particular, appearances by Republicans in their home districts—have become flash points for an angry citizenry.—
Emily Witt,
The New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2025
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Maritime flash points Besides Taiwan, the U.S. and China remain fundamentally at odds over the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely as its own despite an opposing 2016 international court ruling.—
Brad Dress,
The Hill,
7 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Third rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/third%20rail. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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