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
Then, nearly seven minutes into his monologue, Kimmel addressed his controversial comments.
—
Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 2025
In the end, Kennedy decided that resigning would have sent the message that his judicial oath to protect constitutional rights was not binding in difficult or controversial cases.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
On August 20, Israel approved the construction of the controversial E1 settlement that effectively bisects the West Bank; Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich explicitly framed the move as a response to calls for Palestinian statehood.
—Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025
Warren offered an example from her own church, First United, which has been attending interfaith vigils at Alligator Alcatraz, the state’s controversial migrant detention center in the Everglades.
—Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
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Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 2025
In the end, Kennedy decided that resigning would have sent the message that his judicial oath to protect constitutional rights was not binding in difficult or controversial cases.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
On August 20, Israel approved the construction of the controversial E1 settlement that effectively bisects the West Bank; Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich explicitly framed the move as a response to calls for Palestinian statehood.
—Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025
Warren offered an example from her own church, First United, which has been attending interfaith vigils at Alligator Alcatraz, the state’s controversial migrant detention center in the Everglades.
—Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 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 30 Sep. 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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