hot-button issue

noun phrase

Meaning

A topic that triggers strong emotional reactions and intense public disagreement.

Examples

Privacy rights in the digital age remain a hot-button issue for lawmakers.
The new zoning law quickly turned into a hot-button issue among local residents.

Synonyms: controversial, divisive, contentious, polarizing

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hot-button issue

noun phrase

Pronunciation: /ˌhɒtˈbʌtən ˌɪʃuː/

Definition

A topic that triggers strong emotional reactions and intense public disagreement.

Examples

Privacy rights in the digital age remain a hot-button issue for lawmakers.
The new zoning law quickly turned into a hot-button issue among local residents.
Climate change policy is a hot-button issue that often dominates political campaigns.

Synonyms of hot-button issue

Words with a similar meaning to hot-button issue:

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