controversial

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

|Updated on: 14 Aug 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

To say that selling spyware is a controversial practice is a bit of an understatement, given that enables stalkers and abusers.

— brian barrett, WIRED, "Security Roundup: Ukraine Blocked a Russian Hack of Its Critical Infrastructure," 14 July 2018
The next World Cup is already FIFA’s most controversial decision.

— hayden bird, BostonGlobe.com, "What to know about the World Cup title match," 14 July 2018
Members of the Rajneeshpuram cult also used the late Dr. Wilhelm Reich’s methods and ideas on cosmic energy in their own controversial spiritual practices.

— refinery29.com, "Kylie Jenner, Crystals & Cults: Inside The Mysterious Orgonite Society," 13 July 2018
Throughout the 2018 World Cup, the use of VAR has been the focus of wide debate, with its place in the game being openly questioned following a series of controversial decisions.

— SI.com, "Why VAR is a Step in the Right Direction for Football Despite the Continued Scrutiny," 12 July 2018
Fort Lauderdale is poised to remove millions of dollars from its water-sewer system fund, a controversial practice that a majority of city elected officials pledged to stop.

— brittany wallman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fort Lauderdale plans to use water-sewer money to balance budget — again," 9 July 2018
The Trump administration initiated these tariffs after concluding an investigation into some of China’s most controversial trade practices.

— zeeshan aleem, Vox, "The US-China trade war, explained in under 500 words," 6 July 2018
The viral photos have spurred an online debate about the controversial practice of trophy hunting, in which hunters can arrange permits to shoot animals in return for payment.

— billy perrigo, Time, "Kentucky Woman Branded 'White American Savage' After Posing With Dead Giraffe She Shot," 4 July 2018
In a rare retreat last week, President Trump signed an executive order to end the controversial practice of separating children from parents illegally crossing into the United States.

— jazmine ulloa, latimes.com, "Separated at the border, parents and children must deal with a web of agencies," 27 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.