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Synonyms

burning question

Idioms  
  1. An urgent or crucial issue under heated discussion. For example, Real estate taxes are always a burning question for the town leaders. This term has exact equivalents in French (question brûlante) and German (brennende Frage). [Mid-1800s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

For the tribes who have rallied and prayed, a burning question is whether the land will again reflect their vision, or remain shaped by decisions made by others.

From Los Angeles Times May 10, 2026

Travelers hunt for regional souvenirs, soothe their homesickness and investigate a burning question: Is the hot dog different?

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 22, 2026

A burning question now is, when will the court rule?

From MarketWatch Dec. 15, 2025

I think that leaves us with the burning question you and I are now asking every week: Are the justices really that naive and credulous?

From Slate Jul. 18, 2025

Roz hated to interrupt the walrus, but she had a burning question.

From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown

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