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

Universities have too often punished controversial opinions while tolerating intimidation, obstruction, and exclusion. — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

Though Netanyahu’s coalition lost its majority in the Knesset, his Likud Party got the most seats of any individual party — a demonstration of how the controversial 77-year-old leader retains larger-than-expected support among many Israeli voters. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

Bohdan Stashynsky, a KGB agent, has confessed to killing Stepan Bandera, a controversial far-right Ukrainian politician. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2026

This evening, steer clear of controversial subjects, especially about politics, religion and racial issues. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 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