cause célèbre

[kawz suh-leb-ruh, -leb, kohz sey-leb-r^uh] / ˈkɔz səˈlɛb rə, -ˈlɛb, koʊz seɪˈlɛb rə /

NOUN

controversial issue

Synonyms

WEAK

bone of contention celebrated case controversy debate grist for the gossip mill hot potato moot point political football scandal war of words

cause celebre

NOUN

celebrated case

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hot potato talk of the town uproar

WEAK

affair controversial case controversial issue controversy debate fuss grist for the gossip mill matter of the moment political football rumor scandal topic of the day war of words

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.

While Sally’s children turn Champ’s legal troubles into a cause célèbre on social media, Sally and Corinne strategize about how to clear the terrier’s name.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sabate's situation became a cause celebre online, with people on social media posting #lettheminionskate to show support.

From BBC

In North Carolina, the author notes, the movement was helped along by a particular cause célèbre.

From The Wall Street Journal

With her mother, who worked in HR, and Sandidge’s former partner Matt Chait, who works in branding and marketing, they built a formidable public presence for Altadena Girls and became a cause célèbre for a grieving Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

As a kind of fulcrum for his storytelling, Mr. Davenport uses Elizabeth Bouvia, who in 1983 became a cause célèbre of the right-to-die movement.

From The Wall Street Journal