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

There were multiple controversial calls in this game, including an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a Chris Boswell field goal attempt for the Steelers that the NFL admitted was wrong. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025

Friday’s stabbing caps a tumultuous season for the Queen City, following the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on the same rail line in August and a controversial weeklong immigration operation last month. —Andy Rose, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025

Believe it or not, this practice can be quite controversial. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025

The Kids' Choice Award-winning series followed Miller's dance team through her tough (and often controversial) coaching. —Sydni Ellis, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025

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