1
as in dispute
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the seemingly imperishable controversy over the teaching of evolution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in debate
variance of opinion on a matter
there is considerable controversy regarding the assassination of President Kennedy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of controversy
The Dallas Mavericks fired embattled general manger Nico Harrison on Tuesday after months of controversy and complaints from fans following the trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers.
—
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2025
The off-Broadway show, which has courted controversy with its depiction of the Holocaust survivor as a pansexual Latina named Anita Franco, has been a box office hit for Asylum NYC.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025
Not trying to spark controversy but this is an obvious observation.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Taylor’s firing at Stanford, where his record was 6-18 over two seasons, was also a high-profile event that became a public controversy.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2025
The off-Broadway show, which has courted controversy with its depiction of the Holocaust survivor as a pansexual Latina named Anita Franco, has been a box office hit for Asylum NYC.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025
Not trying to spark controversy but this is an obvious observation.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Taylor’s firing at Stanford, where his record was 6-18 over two seasons, was also a high-profile event that became a public controversy.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
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Plus, a jury acquitted a man who threw a sandwich at a federal agent, a deli and a cookbook author are in a trademark dispute, and more.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Nov. 2025
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While carriage disputes are nothing news, and Disney has had high-profile ones with DirecTV and Charter in recent years, the YouTube TV situation is unique.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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China’s apparent surge in missile production comes as the US expends sophisticated defense systems in Ukraine and Israel, causing some ammunition shortages and sparking debate in Washington about how and where to deploy its high-end weapons.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Since the advent of the transfer portal and the rise of name, image and likeness (NIL), there have been countless debates about how to create and adjust a system to establish guardrails when necessary.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In 2017, Charles, who played for the New York Knicks from 1988 to 1998, was asked to leave the arena after an altercation with a security guard.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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After the teens exited the vehicle, a physical altercation ensued.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
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Jake is a single father who has brought Kristen up in the severe Calvinist tradition, marked by Bible disputations of Talmudic intricacy and by a radical detachment from secular and popular culture.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2023
Noun
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Democrats gathered for a conference hosted by progressives were sneering at Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who was not present, for shutting down popular new faces based on disagreements over specific issues.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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But DeMatthews did note that there have been disagreements seen in the takeover of Houston ISD among appointees.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Margolick devotes much space to the writers’ quarrels, their gripes, their resentment of one another.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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Marta and Antonio, partners of many years, quarrel and suddenly break up.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Barr’s unconventional campaign, meant to make an argument against gerrymandering producing deeply partisan districts, made national headlines.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
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Officials said an argument between the men escalated to a fight.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The impact of losing enhanced premium subsidies The political fight around enhanced subsidies, which were enacted in 2021 under the Biden administration, is playing out during the ACA marketplace's open enrollment, when would-be enrollees are picking their health plans for 2026.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
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The fights are being broadcast on DAZN pay-per-view.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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