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
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
Through all these threads, The Audacity throws itself headlong at some of tech’s biggest hot-button topics, including privacy, AI and, in an oddly halfhearted subplot involving JoAnne’s son, Everett Bliunck’s Orson, the manosphere, with an eye as cold as its characters.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
Missing from the speech were several hot button issues that have consumed his administration’s HHS over the last few months, including shifting vaccine mandates and major cuts to health and science funding.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Adjective
He's been vague on some hot-button issues While Magyar campaigned largely on fighting corruption, restoring democratic norms and reviving Hungary's economy, his stance on some other divisive issues is less clear.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
Through all these threads, The Audacity throws itself headlong at some of tech’s biggest hot-button topics, including privacy, AI and, in an oddly halfhearted subplot involving JoAnne’s son, Everett Bliunck’s Orson, the manosphere, with an eye as cold as its characters.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
The issue of private equity investment in health care facilities has been a hot button topic in Connecticut recently.
—Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
Missing from the speech were several hot button issues that have consumed his administration’s HHS over the last few months, including shifting vaccine mandates and major cuts to health and science funding.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
-
Just getting to this point, with passage out of the House, has been contentious, says Andrew Schmidt, director of governmental affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
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The contentious exchange did not result in a handshake between the Israeli and Palestinian representatives, nor a photo featuring the two, but instead a plea from Infantino for the two nations to take part in an Under-15 tournament organized by FIFA in the future.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In early February, a Chow Chow named Meatball broke free from his owner at Bowling Green, fell onto the subway tracks, hit the third rail, and died.—
Rachel Sugar,
Curbed,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Someone needs to touch the third rail.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Gregory Bovino, the controversial head of aggressive enforcement activities in Chicago and Minneapolis, resigned from the agency.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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But let’s set aside the fact for a moment that a sequel might not include some of Jackson’s biggest hits and would instead focus on a controversial moment in the singer’s life that his estate may be unwilling or unable to explore.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot-button. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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