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
The passage of that TIF district was controversial and was opposed by current Mayor John Laesch, who was an alderman at-large on the Aurora City Council at the time.
—
R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Platner is a controversial figure due to some old social media posts and a chest tattoo featuring a symbol associated with the Nazi paramilitary police the Schutzstaffel, or SS.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 23 May 2026
Chevy Chase The 2002 Roast of Chevy Chase is among the most controversial roasts of all time.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
With the long ago departure of the controversial former Clippers owner Donald Sterling, is Arte Moreno now truly the worst owner in sports?
—Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
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R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Platner is a controversial figure due to some old social media posts and a chest tattoo featuring a symbol associated with the Nazi paramilitary police the Schutzstaffel, or SS.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 23 May 2026
Chevy Chase The 2002 Roast of Chevy Chase is among the most controversial roasts of all time.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026
With the long ago departure of the controversial former Clippers owner Donald Sterling, is Arte Moreno now truly the worst owner in sports?
—Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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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