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.
controversially
adverb
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
Tesla, driven in part by Elon Musk’s controversial tenure at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reported a 13% decrease in sales as boycotts ate into the company’s profits.
—
Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Why was Brooke Shields' Calvin Klein ad controversial?
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 30 July 2025
Texans continue to be killed and injured in vehicle pursuits by state and local law enforcement in the counties participating in Gov. Greg Abbott’s controversial border crackdown, known as Operation Lone Star.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The death was ruled a suicide, a controversial ruling that has become conspiracy fodder and the subject of intense scrutiny.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
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Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Why was Brooke Shields' Calvin Klein ad controversial?
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 30 July 2025
Texans continue to be killed and injured in vehicle pursuits by state and local law enforcement in the counties participating in Gov. Greg Abbott’s controversial border crackdown, known as Operation Lone Star.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The death was ruled a suicide, a controversial ruling that has become conspiracy fodder and the subject of intense scrutiny.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
controversial
adjective
con·tro·ver·sial
ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl
-ˈvər-sē-əl
: relating to or causing controversy
a controversial movie
controversially
adverb
-ē
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