controversial

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

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Examples: controversial in a Sentence

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

But the English Premier League voted in April not to use the system during the 2018/19 Premier League season after controversial trials in English cup competitions.

— afp, chicagotribune.com, "VAR system used for first time in France, Australia match," 16 June 2018
Avoid controversial amendments, such as amendments changing assessments so that some members pay a higher or lower amount or unpopular use restrictions.

— kelly g. richardson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "HOA Homefront: What you need to know before amending CC&Rs," 16 June 2018
As reporters pressed the White House for a justification of the controversial policy Thursday, Padilla sat in his office 1,700 miles away, calmly providing the rationale.

— michael e. miller, Washington Post, "Family separations could double, says Border Patrol chief in Rio Grande Valley," 16 June 2018
The students will address residents in a variety of venues, from schools, parks and convention centers to the Twin Cities Pride Festival and the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, site of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline.

— ben crandell, Sun-Sentinel.com, "March For Our Lives' Road to Change bus tour sets Midwest swing," 15 June 2018
Earlier this year, West reemerged into the spotlight with Twitter sprees, explosive interviews and a controversial alliance with President Donald Trump.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Kim Kardashian Wears a Sexy Catsuit While Supporting Husband Kanye West at Nas' Listening Party," 15 June 2018
Bruner — who took over as CEO in 2015 — has been widely recognized as a controversial figure.

— megan farokhmanesh, The Verge, "Former CEO and co-founder of Telltale Games sues Telltale Games," 15 June 2018
In the round of 16, Australia were narrowly beaten by eventual champions Italy, courtesy of a controversial 95th minute penalty.

— SI.com, "World Cup Preview: France vs Australia - World Cup Highlights, Recent Form, Predictions & More," 15 June 2018
Mas Canosa, a controversial figure who was often mentioned as a candidate for president in a democratic Cuba, succumbed in Miami without witnessing his fervent dream: the end of Fidel Castro's reign.

— christopher marquis, miamiherald, "Jorge Mas Canosa dead at 58," 15 June 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.