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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in third rail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of hot-button
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2024
But as eating disorders remain a hot button issue both on- and offline, influencers who promote them will continue to profit.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
And as a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in the United States, LGBTQ+ rights are a hot button issue in the upcoming election.
—Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024
The new hot button is seen integrated into the caps key.
—Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hot-button 
Noun
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 Sep. 2024
But as eating disorders remain a hot button issue both on- and offline, influencers who promote them will continue to profit.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
And as a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in the United States, LGBTQ+ rights are a hot button issue in the upcoming election.
—Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024
The new hot button is seen integrated into the caps key.
—Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
-
Growing up, millennials experienced contentious 2000 and 2008 U.S. presidential elections, the events of September 11, 2001, a war on terror that cost trillions and lasted two decades, and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
-
What’s more, the dynamics for Big Media and Big Tech are complicated by the fact that Trump has had a contentious relationship with major players in both sectors.Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
At that last event Dylan touched the third rail of folk music by playing an electric guitar, in a performance that prompted boos from the audience — although whether the booing was a response to the transgression or the sound quality has been the subject of debate.Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
-
After decades of treating gambling as a third rail, almost every major U.S. pro sports league has not only gotten comfortable associating betting on its games, but also encourages it on a daily basis, with a cacophony of ads during games from each league’s betting partners.David Aldridge, The Athletic, 17 Apr. 2024
Adjective
-
The live conversation centered on Osbourne's friendship with controversial TV host Piers Morgan, who was making headlines at the time for his controversial comments about Duchess Meghan.Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
-
In July, Lee traveled to Marco Island, Florida, to be the keynote speaker at a conference of Alliance Defending Freedom, a group behind a handful of controversial new state laws.Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 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 9 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share