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

In the same stadium where Michigan was given an extra second in a controversial win over Western Michigan, the Iowa Hawkeyes took full advantage of having one more snap with two ticks on the clock. — Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026

Robert Pattinson toplines the film, playing Chris Hansen, host of the controversial NBC docuseries To Catch a Predator, alongside a cast that includes Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers and Bokeem Woodbine. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026

The controversial budget maneuver occurs when a president submits a request to Congress to block funding so close to the end of the fiscal year that the funds can expire before Congress receives the full 45-day consideration period under the law. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026

The potential for a German bid for 2036 — 100 years since Berlin held the Olympics under Nazi rule — has been controversial. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 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