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

His career, both celebrated and, at times, controversial, spans some 70 years. — Kelefa Sanneh, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

The new smartphones will show the direction Google is taking the smartphone ecosystem through its new AI features, premium hardware choices, and controversial Android upgrades. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

The El Dorado Hills Community Services District Board of Directors last week unanimously called for an overhaul of the controversial process used to assess property owners for landscaping and lighting services. — Haley Parsley august 9, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026

This time around, the singer is co-headlining the Raymond & Brown tour with his longtime friend, controversial recording artist Chris Brown. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Aug. 2026

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