hot-button

[hot-buht-n]

adjective

1. exciting strong feelings; highly charged; emotional.

   hot-button issues.

hot button

noun

1. informal

   1. a controversial subject or issue that is likely to arouse strong emotions

   2. ( as modifier )

      the hot-button issue of abortion

Word History and Origins

Origin of hot-button¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Naturally, the couple segues into another disagreement, arguing about where to spend their upcoming vacation — a hot-button issue, since Joan’s cancer treatments are no longer working and time is suddenly precious.

Read more on Salon

On hot-button issues like immigration, transgender rights, Gaza or the rise of the far-right, the BBC finds itself caught in the crossfire of different ideological camps.

Read more on Barron's

The probe, which is in its early stages, is focused on the firms’ competitive practices and how they steer clients on hot-button issues such as climate- and social-related shareholder proposals, people familiar with the matter said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"They've chosen to boycott, and boycotting never achieves anything of great impact, because decisions will be taken that will move the various issues ahead," Ramaphosa, alluding to a decision on the cost of debt, a hot-button issue for developing nations.

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The White House is exploring new measures to curb the influence of proxy advisers and index-fund managers, wading into a hot-button debate raised by high-profile CEOs including Elon Musk and Jamie Dimon in recent months.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal