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
Synonyms
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
At Bryant’s urging, Dykes agreed to a controversial—and nearly unprecedented—deal with NCAA investigators, in which he was given immunity from losing his athletic eligibility in exchange for spilling the beans on several programs, including his own.
—
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 18 July 2024
Announced this morning from the El Capitan theatre in Hollywood, the nominations also included shout-outs for Netflix’s addictive but controversial limited series Baby Reindeer, along with well-deserved noms for the fourth season of True Detective featuring Jodie Foster.
—Deadline, 17 July 2024
Listen to this article Loading your audio article The NYPD’s controversial subway metal detector program is being deployed to subway stations within the next several days, Mayor Adams said Wednesday at a joint press conference with the MTA.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 July 2024
Bob Chapek was formerly the controversial CEO of Disney.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for controversial 
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 18 July 2024
Announced this morning from the El Capitan theatre in Hollywood, the nominations also included shout-outs for Netflix’s addictive but controversial limited series Baby Reindeer, along with well-deserved noms for the fourth season of True Detective featuring Jodie Foster.
—Deadline, 17 July 2024
Listen to this article Loading your audio article The NYPD’s controversial subway metal detector program is being deployed to subway stations within the next several days, Mayor Adams said Wednesday at a joint press conference with the MTA.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 17 July 2024
Bob Chapek was formerly the controversial CEO of Disney.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for controversial
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'controversial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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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