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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot-button
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
Artificial intelligence protections became a hot button issue during the summer-long actors and writers’ strikes in 2023.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024
Xinjiang supplies more than 80 percent of China’s cotton, but has been a hot button issue for years.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hot-button 
Noun
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
Artificial intelligence protections became a hot button issue during the summer-long actors and writers’ strikes in 2023.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024
Xinjiang supplies more than 80 percent of China’s cotton, but has been a hot button issue for years.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
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Leonard Peltier, one of the surviving leaders of the American Indian Movement, has been in prison for 50 years following a contentious conviction.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
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Coming off a contentious last couple weeks for his film’s awards campaign, Audiard had a more light-hearted opportunity to reflect on his Best Picture nominee.—
Vincent Perella,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Adjective
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Neither, for that matter, are some of Spotify’s more controversial programming decisions that go beyond music—such as its nine-figure deal with the wildly popular podcaster Joe Rogan.—
Brad Shoup,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2025
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Kanye West was dropped by his talent agency following the controversial rapper’s meltdown on social media over the weekend, which included selling a swastika T-shirt, making a string of antisemitic remarks, and posting several pornographic videos to his feed.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2025
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 19 Feb. 2025.
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