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

The National Capital Planning Commission, a federal panel that reviews major construction projects, posted new renderings and accompanying documents provided by the Interior Department, which is overseeing the controversial project. — Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026

Martelly, a former singer who became president in 2011 in a controversial election after Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake, has been sanctioned by both nations as well as the European Union. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Many of the offensive and controversial remarks came in freewheeling replies to otherwise anodyne comments about current events, politics or games. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

There was legislation to respond to, an election with implications for the company, a controversial social issue or a reporter asking for comment. — Amanda Simonian, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 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