1
as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
tried to avoid controversial topics over the holiday dinner table
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggressive
given to arguing
controversial by temperament, she's the sort of political attack dog who kills all hope of bipartisanship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of controversial
Beyond his work on the sitcom, Hip has been a regular in films by the controversial director Abel Ferrara, including China Girl (1987), Bad Lieutenant (1992), and The Funeral (1996).
—
Will Harris, EW.com, 30 July 2025
To this day a lively, biting, macabre comedy that was controversial in its time (and banned in Franco-era Spain for its anti-elite subtext), yet its core themes still resonate with uncanny oracular power.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 July 2025
In surveys of members conducted with more than 75% participation, more than 90% of command officers and 98% of troopers expressed non-confidence in Grady and his controversial choice as the MSP's chief deputy director, Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe, the unions announced in June.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
The Louisiana senator also floated bringing back stop-and-frisk, a policy with a controversial history of targeting communities of color in New York City.
—The Hill, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Will Harris, EW.com, 30 July 2025
To this day a lively, biting, macabre comedy that was controversial in its time (and banned in Franco-era Spain for its anti-elite subtext), yet its core themes still resonate with uncanny oracular power.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 July 2025
In surveys of members conducted with more than 75% participation, more than 90% of command officers and 98% of troopers expressed non-confidence in Grady and his controversial choice as the MSP's chief deputy director, Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe, the unions announced in June.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
The Louisiana senator also floated bringing back stop-and-frisk, a policy with a controversial history of targeting communities of color in New York City.
—The Hill, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversial
Adjective
-
Although sometimes contentious, his most recent appearance lacked the acrimony from lawmakers who had accused the director and the lottery's oversight board of misleading the Legislature about the courier companies.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
In a blowout 90-to-8 vote earlier this week, most Senate Democrats voted to open floor debate on the chamber’s first spending bill of the year, a typically less contentious measure covering military construction projects and veterans programs.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Being too aggressive with your use of ice can damage your skin.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
22 July 2025
-
Chantel’s aggressive, no-nonsense delivery clashed with Jackie’s passive-deflective tone, turning what could’ve been a breakthrough into yet another blow-up.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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