Synonyms

burning question

Idioms

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:

burning question

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

This may not answer the burning question of who will follow Gustavo Dudamel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2025

I will leave you with the answer to a burning question I had as I reported this piece: When a shrimp is contaminated with radioactive materials, does it glow?

From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2025

After the clock repeated, “TEN TWIN-TEE-EIGHT PEE EM,” Genie asked another burning question.

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023