controversy

noun

con·​tro·​ver·​sy ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē 

British also kən-ˈträ-və-sē

plural controversies

1

: a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views : dispute

The decision aroused a controversy among the students.

The movie is a subject of controversy.

2

: quarrel, strife

3

law : a civil action

The judicial power shall extend … to controversies to which the United States shall be a party …

—U.S. Constitution

Synonyms of controversy

• dispute
• altercation
• disagreement
• quarrel
• argument
• fight
• misunderstanding

Examples of controversy in a Sentence

The decision aroused much controversy among the students.

The new movie is a subject of controversy.

There is controversy surrounding the team's decision to trade the star pitcher.

The controversy is over whether he should be fired or not.

A controversy arose over the new law.

Recent Examples on the Web

Parking problems are causing controversy in Elk Grove. —James Taylor, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026

That debate has now collided with a broader controversy surrounding the Federal Reserve. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 15 Jan. 2026

The actor, now reteaming with Flash costar Ben Affleck in this weekend's The Rip, made her feature film debut as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl in Andy Muschietti's beleaguered take on the DC speedster starring Ezra Miller, who was mired in legal controversy during the run-up to its release. —Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026

The group’s presence has drawn controversy through its first seven months in operation, initially for its logjam of pending deals and later for the opacity of its deliberation process. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English controversie, from Anglo-French, from Latin controversia, from controversus disputable, literally, turned against, from contro- (akin to contra-) + versus, past participle of vertere to turn — more at worth

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for controversy

• circe
• kersey
• mercy
• gramercy

Kids Definition

controversy

noun

con·​tro·​ver·​sy ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē 

plural controversies

1

: a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views : dispute

2

: quarrel entry 1 sense 2, strife

Etymology

Middle English controversie, from early French (same meaning), from Latin controversia "act or cause of disagreeing, dispute," literally, "something turned against or to the contrary," from contro-, contra- "against, contrary" and versus "turned," from vertere "to turn" — related to anniversary, converse, divert, versatile

Legal Definition

controversy

noun

con·​tro·​ver·​sy ˈkän-trə-ˌvər-sē Brit also kən-ˈträ-vər-sē 

plural controversies

1

: a state of dispute or disagreement

suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars

—U.S. Constitution amend. VII

2

: a civil action involving a real and immediate dispute between parties with adverse interests

Note: Article III of the U.S. Constitution gives the judiciary the power to decide cases and controversies. Article III's limitation of the judicial power to cases or controversies requires that an action brought in the federal court involve parties with standing to sue and questions that are ripe and not moot.

controversial

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl, -ˈvər-sē-əl 

adjective