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

Georgia Power has agreed to serve the controversial $20 billion OpenAI data center planned near Savannah, and so far, the deal isn’t charming state regulators. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Marsh was a fearless critic, rarely holding back even with his most caustic and controversial views. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026

Their primary objection centers on Palantir's controversial $30 million contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), whose surveillance and immigration operations are a core reporting beat for USA Today newsrooms. — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Some of the stories mentioned his ties to a controversial data center in Michigan. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 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