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
Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 1 Oct. 2024
What’s more, DEI has become a political hot button for conservatives.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
Exactly how EVs have become such a hot button issue is hard to pin on a single event or ideology (misinformation and hostile rhetoric both play a role).
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 30 Sep. 2024
Inflation will remain a hot button issue during the presidential campaign this fall that GOP candidate Trump knows could hurt Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats in 2024.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hot-button 
Noun
The new hot button is seen integrated into the caps key.
—Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 1 Oct. 2024
What’s more, DEI has become a political hot button for conservatives.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
Exactly how EVs have become such a hot button issue is hard to pin on a single event or ideology (misinformation and hostile rhetoric both play a role).
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 30 Sep. 2024
Inflation will remain a hot button issue during the presidential campaign this fall that GOP candidate Trump knows could hurt Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats in 2024.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
-
Murphy admits the divided board might present a challenge as contentious conversations continue, particularly surrounding a $200 million restructuring plan for the district that involves adding middle schools.Madeline Mitchell, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024
-
That decision would avoid a contentious battle that could end up in court.Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Yet reining them in has proved to be a political third rail.Gordon Adams, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2010
-
Protecting Social Security and Medicare: Trump has pledged not to touch the third rail of politics, even floating a plan to cut Social Security taxes for seniors.Axios, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
The event has also been at the center of a sexism row following a controversial op-ed penned by founder Żydowicz.Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024
-
The controversial feature was originally supposed to debut alongside Copilot Plus PCs in June, but Microsoft was forced to hold back Recall after security concerns were raised.Tom Warren, The Verge, 22 Nov. 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 2 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share