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 controversial Connecticut Trust Act blocks local police from making an arrest that is based only on a request by federal agents in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
—
Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
Elon’s controversial social media platform is under investigation on a number of fronts in Europe.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
Then Bruce Rollinson retired at Mater Dei followng the controversial 2022 season when the school faced a lawsuit and hired a law firm to produce a safety assessment.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Serpell argues that Morrison’s controversial persona too often overshadows, in collective memory, her thrilling genius on the page.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
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Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026
Elon’s controversial social media platform is under investigation on a number of fronts in Europe.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
Then Bruce Rollinson retired at Mater Dei followng the controversial 2022 season when the school faced a lawsuit and hired a law firm to produce a safety assessment.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Serpell argues that Morrison’s controversial persona too often overshadows, in collective memory, her thrilling genius on the page.
—Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 4 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 8 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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