as in hot button
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Recent Examples of third rail
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
In the health insurance realm, for example, the Affordable Care Act provides subsidized health insurance for many Americans, and changing Medicare is a political third rail.
—Jay Feinman, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
In the health insurance realm, for example, the Affordable Care Act provides subsidized health insurance for many Americans, and changing Medicare is a political third rail.
—Jay Feinman, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for third rail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for third rail
Noun
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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
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After this interview was conducted, Marvel producer Nate Moore threw cold water on that latter hot button topic.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Liam’s family members called him something else: a time bomb about to explode.—
Ames Alexander,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2025
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Coincidentally, Japan’s population peaked in 2011, so don’t give me this demographic time bomb narrative.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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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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
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The report identified specific flash points, including cross-border water tensions, and said some countries could experience instability, including from straining food and energy systems.—
Somini Sengupta,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to third rail
Cite this Entry
“Third rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/third%20rail. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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