controversial
adjective
con·tro·ver·sial
ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl 
-ˈvər-sē-əl
1
: of, relating to, or arousing controversy
a controversial policy
a controversial film
2
: given to controversy : disputatious
a controversial temperament
The controversial biologist caused a ferment among his colleagues.
controversially
adverb
Examples of controversial in a Sentence
Abortion is a highly controversial subject.
a decision that remains controversial
He is a controversial author.
Recent Examples on the Web
Randy Tucker Many of you have read the name PLK Communities in my stories about the team of developers behind the controversial Hyde Park Square redevelopment plan.
—
Randy Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
The controversial author is an executive producer along with film producer David Heyman, writer Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
Carpenter spoke with Morning Edition host Leila Fadel about the challenges of relationships, her controversial album cover, which depicts her kneeling beside a man who is pulling her hair, and the new songs featured on the album.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Be audacious and controversial, without selling out.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
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Randy Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
The controversial author is an executive producer along with film producer David Heyman, writer Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2025
Carpenter spoke with Morning Edition host Leila Fadel about the challenges of relationships, her controversial album cover, which depicts her kneeling beside a man who is pulling her hair, and the new songs featured on the album.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Be audacious and controversial, without selling out.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
controversial
adjective
con·tro·ver·sial
ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl
-ˈvər-sē-əl
: relating to or causing controversy
a controversial movie
controversially
adverb
-ē
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