controversial

1 of 2

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

controversialist

2 of 2

noun

con·​tro·​ver·​sial·​ist ¦kän-trə-¦vər-shə-list 

-¦vər-sē-ə-

plural -s

: one who engages in controversy : disputant

in his novels the controversialist often takes precedence of the artist

—B. R. Redman

Synonyms of controversial

Adjective

• contentious

Examples of controversial in a Sentence

Adjective

Abortion is a highly controversial subject.

a decision that remains controversial

He is a controversial author.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Salazar has been a vocal advocate for immigrant communities and an outspoken critic of mass deportations, having championed a controversial immigration reform bill this Congress. — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026

Piker isn’t making El-Sayed’s unconvincing efforts to distance himself from his highly controversial pal any easier. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Lamont has expressed confidence in the current roster of PURA commissioners, who took over last year following the resignation of the agency’s controversial former leader, Marissa Gillett. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

The conflict has become a test of UCLA’s commitment to let scholars examine fraught topics or invite controversial speakers to campus without interference. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see controversy

First Known Use

Adjective

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