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.

controversialism

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shə-ˌli-zəm 

-sē-ə-ˌli-

noun

controversialist

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shə-list 

-sē-ə-list

noun

controversially adverb

Synonyms of controversial

• contentious

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

The most controversial moment Monday during Lewis’ weekly press came when the discussion turned to the traditional Thanksgiving meal. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2025

That push to revive the hunt is controversial and has divided some within the hunting community. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

After featuring the 28-year-old Sydney Sweeney in what became a highly controversial fall ad campaign, American Eagle is turning to a different type of icon. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 2025

Given that all these events had been widely reported on by news media globally, the decision to include them on the timeline shouldn’t have been controversial. —Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see controversy

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for controversial

• noncommercial
• commercial
• inertial
• noncontroversial
• uncontroversial

Kids Definition

controversial

adjective

con·​tro·​ver·​sial ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl 

-ˈvər-sē-əl

: relating to or causing controversy

a controversial movie

controversially

-ē

adverb