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Definitions

hot potato

NOUN

cause célèbre

Synonyms

WEAK

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

NOUN

cause celebre

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

NOUN

crisis

Synonyms

STRONGEST

catastrophe change confrontation crunch deadlock dilemma disaster emergency impasse mess pressure situation trouble

STRONG

climacteric climax contingency corner crossroad crux culmination embarrassment entanglement exigency extremity height imbroglio juncture necessity pass perplexity pickle pinch plight predicament puzzle quandary stew strait trauma trial urgency

WEAK

big trouble dire straits hour of decision moment of truth point of no return turning point

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreement benefit blessing breakthrough calm good fortune good luck happiness miracle peace solution success wonder

STRONG

advantage boon certainty

NOUN

danger

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crisis emergency exposure insecurity instability jeopardy menace peril pitfall possibility probability risk threat uncertainty vulnerability

STRONG

clouds dynamite endangerment exigency precariousness precipice slipperiness storm venture

WEAK

double trouble risky business thin ice

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm certainty peace safety security sureness unlikelihood

WEAK

care carefulness guard preservation

NOUN

hazard

Synonyms

STRONGEST

peril risk threat

STRONG

dynamite endangerment jeopardy

WEAK

double trouble imperilment risky business thin ice

Antonyms

STRONGEST

safety

WEAK

assurance protection safeguard surety

NOUN

imperilment

Synonyms

WEAK

clouds crisis double trouble dynamite emergency endangerment exigency exposure hazard insecurity instability jeopardy menace peril pitfall possibility precariousness precipice probability risk risky business slipperiness storm thin ice threat uncertainty venture vulnerability

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.

She compared the work to a game of hot potato.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Watson went on to admit this "hot potato" was difficult to address and his hope was that everyone was equal.

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025

Carpenter then tried to give it to Keoghan, but he refused, motioning at the statue as if it were a hot potato he was superstitious about jinxing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2024

Greece’s foreign ministry made a ham-handed bid to get rid of the hot potato by sneaking Ocalan out of the country and trying to hide him in the Greek Embassy in Kenya.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2023

It’s like a hot potato that I’ve been holding on to for days.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

hot potato

Example Sentences

Related Words