controversial

adjective

con·​tro·​ver·​sial ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl How to pronounce controversial (audio)
-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 noun
controversialist noun
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 The brothers have recently been at the forefront of media attention thanks to Ryan Murphy’s controversial Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2024 Pool | Getty Images News | Getty Images LONDON — British technology bosses and investors are warning that entrepreneurs may be forced to leave the U.K., if the government moves forward with controversial plans to raise capital gains tax on share sales. Ryan Browne, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024 Landry's surgical castration law is one of several controversial bills getting attention across the pond. Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024 In a recent controversial effort, Musk’s America PAC revealed a $1 million giveaway each day to Nov. 5 to any swing-state resident who signs a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments. Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for controversial 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'controversial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see controversy

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of controversial was in 1583

Dictionary Entries Near controversial

Cite this Entry

“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

controversial

adjective
con·​tro·​ver·​sial ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl How to pronounce controversial (audio)
-ˈvər-sē-əl
: relating to or causing controversy
a controversial movie
controversially
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on controversial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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