controversial

adjective con·tro·ver·sial \ ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl , -ˈvər-sē-əl \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

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.

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controversialism

play \ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shə-ˌli-zəm, -sē-ə-ˌli-\ noun

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controversialist

play \ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shə-list, -sē-ə-list\ noun

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controversially

adverb

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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

Scott, who would not agree to be interviewed for this story, has backed away from Trump’s most controversial statements and positions or taken a diplomatic approach.

— gray rohrer, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Scott's battle with Nelson could decide Senate control," 6 Apr. 2018
The all-athletes season of Dancing with the Stars has reportedly signed the most controversial name in figure skating.

— adam carlson, PEOPLE.com, "Is Tonya Harding Really Competing on DWTS? 'God Knows, She Gets Ratings,' Source Says," 5 Apr. 2018
Gun control bills are traditionally among the most controversial pieces of legislation at the Capitol, pitting gun control advocates against supporters of the Second Amendment who seek to defend constitutional rights.

— christopher keating, courant.com, "Legislative Committee Votes To Ban Bump Stocks And Ghost Guns," 4 Apr. 2018
But like many judicial races, the Wisconsin campaign frequently came down to the judges' most controversial cases.

— david weigel, Anchorage Daily News, "Democrat wins a bitter, costly race for Wisconsin Supreme Court," 4 Apr. 2018
The United States was headed toward what would become its most controversial military action since the Vietnam War.

— azcentral, "John McCain was frequent Bush foe with bipartisan efforts, reform push," 2 Apr. 2018
The entire bill is $8.8 billion in scope, but the less than $2 million from Title X has been the most controversial, the newspaper reports.

— ashley may, USA TODAY, "Nebraska close to defunding abortion providers, Planned Parenthood, in budget," 30 Mar. 2018
First, a video of that contest’s most controversial calls went viral.

— michael mcknight, SI.com, "Inside the Dark World of Trolling," 29 Mar. 2018
The most controversial territory those kinds of discussions venture into normally involve the next bobblehead giveaway. Stunning stuff, this.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres need to show radio partner the door after latest, most insensitive swipe," 27 Mar. 2018

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.