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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.

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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

However, having reached the pinnacle of the sport he had dedicated his life to, Stona woke up one day with a burning question on his mind: what next?

From BBC Dec. 9, 2024

I’m silent, watching her, wanting to ask the burning question I’ve held on to since I figured out Abby died.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

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