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

Another category that would likely unnerve boards of directors, according to Minow, is close ties with Epstein following his controversial 2008 guilty plea to procuring a minor for prostitution. —Matt Egan, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026

The former child star is a controversial figure. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026

But she is widely viewed as more controversial. —Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

Howard Webb co-hosts a show analysing controversial decisions, and Mike Dean pops up on Sky Sports’ matchday coverage to give his analysis of incidents in real time. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 Feb. 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