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
There are few Christmas movies as controversial as 2005’s The Family Stone.
—
Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 17 Dec. 2025
All three properties have been the center of what Charlotte residents feel are controversial moves made by the airport.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025
No controversial or offensive topics.
—Amelia Arvesen, Outside, 16 Dec. 2025
The 78-year-old was charged under Hong Kong’s controversial national security law, enacted by Beijing in 2020 after pro-democracy protests swept the region in 2019.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
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Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 17 Dec. 2025
All three properties have been the center of what Charlotte residents feel are controversial moves made by the airport.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025
No controversial or offensive topics.
—Amelia Arvesen, Outside, 16 Dec. 2025
The 78-year-old was charged under Hong Kong’s controversial national security law, enacted by Beijing in 2020 after pro-democracy protests swept the region in 2019.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 Dec. 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 17 Dec. 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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