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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.

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

It's also a regressive approach similar to the hot potato tossing seen in very special episodes of 1980s and 1990s TV where reproductive choices were acknowledged but never discussed in detail.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2023

Until then, they seem destined to stay a transit hot potato, passed in bursts from one private owner to another.

From Slate • Aug. 9, 2023

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

I get mad and throw a hot potato fit.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett