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.
With Republicans currently controlling both houses of Congress by thin margins, significant legislative could certainly follow, but could still prove difficult on some hot button issues. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 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 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

Dictionary Entries Near hot button

Cite this Entry

“Hot button.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hot%20button. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on hot button

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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