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
The ceremony took place two hours before the broadcast, in part to allow for controversial statements to be edited out.
—
K.j. Yossman, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
House Bill 991 has many other provisions, including a controversial component that requires verification of voters’ citizenship and changing the system of election recounts in close elections and instituting audits of all elections.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
In an interview with WWD published last month, the Landman star revealed her true feelings about perhaps her most controversial look to date.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
The updates also allow developers to take advantage of the city’s controversial Complete Communities incentive in Ocean Beach as long as a property isn’t the site of a historic cottage.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
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K.j. Yossman, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
House Bill 991 has many other provisions, including a controversial component that requires verification of voters’ citizenship and changing the system of election recounts in close elections and instituting audits of all elections.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
In an interview with WWD published last month, the Landman star revealed her true feelings about perhaps her most controversial look to date.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
The updates also allow developers to take advantage of the city’s controversial Complete Communities incentive in Ocean Beach as long as a property isn’t the site of a historic cottage.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversial. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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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