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.

controversialism

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shə-ˌli-zəm 

-sē-ə-ˌli-

noun

controversialist

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shə-list 

-sē-ə-list

noun

controversially adverb

Synonyms

• argumentative
• contentious
• disputatious
• hot-button
• polemical
• polemic

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 other shoe dropped with an unsettling thud recently when White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt openly gay-bashed in defense of her controversial boss. —Louis Balsamo, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025

However, the Trump administration did briefly propose a controversial 100% tariff on films made abroad to discourage runaway production. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 24 June 2025

Florida wants the Supreme Court's permission to enforce a controversial new law targeting undocumented immigrants entering Florida, a move that aims to help carry out President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 24 June 2025

Along with trillions in dueling spending and tax cuts, lawmakers are haggling over the controversial SALT deduction for state and local taxes. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

see controversy

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for controversial

• noncommercial
• commercial
• inertial
• noncontroversial
• uncontroversial

Kids Definition

controversial

adjective

con·​tro·​ver·​sial ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl 

-ˈvər-sē-əl

: relating to or causing controversy

a controversial movie

controversially

-ē

adverb