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

Thanksgiving is perhaps one of the most divisive American holidays, and not only because of infamous dinner table political debates or its controversial history. —Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 18 Nov. 2025

Bear hunting has long been controversial in Florida. —Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025

With many searching for an answer to why the scoreboard was so lopsided despite the Cardinals having one of the better offensive performances of the season this year, former Pro Bowl running LeSean McCoy offered up a controversial explanation. —Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025

Advertisement Here’s what to know about the controversial interview that has split the right. —Chantelle Lee, Time, 17 Nov. 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