Definition of controversial
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
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of controversial in a Sentence
Abortion is a highly controversial subject.
a decision that remains controversial
He is a controversial author.
Recent Examples of controversial from the Web
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Mao, whose record remains controversial among the party elite, has been mentioned almost 30 percent more often than Deng during Xi’s tenure.
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Fischer told 84 WHAS that although Senate Bill 17 differs from other controversial state laws that explicitly targeted LGBTQ residents, there's no point in arguing with California leaders about their interpretation.
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Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Wednesday called for a Palos Township trustee who had made controversial statements on Facebook to resign from the county's Commission on Women's Issues.
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How microsaurs are related to other tetrapods more broadly is controversial and there are several competing hypotheses.
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Last week, the omnipresent president found his way into the federal appeal of one of the most controversial murder convictions in Warren County history.
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The family said that Mazhar, who is also a controversial figure tied to the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, was still traumatized and receiving hospital care.
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That was one of a series of controversial incidents during now former Superintendent Jim Hinson’s tenure, and parents began to share concerns about other issues.
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DeVos, as controversial as any of Trump's Cabinet picks, was confirmed by the Senate only after Mike Pence became the first vice president in history to break a tie for a Cabinet secretary.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'controversial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of controversial
see controversy
CONTROVERSIAL Defined for English Language Learners
controversial
playDefinition of controversial for English Language Learners
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: relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument : likely to produce controversy
CONTROVERSIAL Defined for Kids
controversial
playDefinition of controversial for Students
: relating to or causing disagreement or argument a controversial law
Learn More about controversial
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See words that rhyme with controversial Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for controversial Spanish Central: Translation of controversial Nglish: Translation of controversial for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of controversial for Arabic speakers
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