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
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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
Legally, the controversy over the USDA’s access to tax data ended in March 1974 when Nixon revoked both of his 1973 executive orders granting that authority to the department.
—
Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Disparate impact has been key to several major sports controversies, including litigation against the NCAA over academic rules that limit eligibility.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 May 2025
Ashley and Tyler might’ve bonded over their faith, but before long, his paternity controversy overtook the season (and LIB fans’ social media feeds) — turning Tyler into an instant villain.
—Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 5 May 2025
Now, with the controversy behind him, Benn has the opportunity to finally face Eubank in the ring.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Disparate impact has been key to several major sports controversies, including litigation against the NCAA over academic rules that limit eligibility.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 May 2025
Ashley and Tyler might’ve bonded over their faith, but before long, his paternity controversy overtook the season (and LIB fans’ social media feeds) — turning Tyler into an instant villain.
—Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 5 May 2025
Now, with the controversy behind him, Benn has the opportunity to finally face Eubank in the ring.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversy
Noun
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The impending downturn at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles comes not long after the twin facilities reported booming activity, tied to a labor dispute that shut down major ports on the East and Gulf coasts.—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
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Stephanie initially thinks that Emily killed him because of the custody dispute, but Charity later admits to killing him to help her sister.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
3 May 2025
Noun
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In the original post, unlike the current debate, the user set the scene and provided some constraints.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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But Republicans refused to play ball, with no GOP members joining the debate over Hegseth’s fitness to serve and no proposals from Democrats adopted by the committee.—
Ellen Mitchell,
The Hill,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Back in January, Kerley was hit with a domestic violence charge in an unrelated incident from last year, after he was arrested following an altercation with police.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2025
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This comes after an altercation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo at the conclusion of the team's playoff series.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
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
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Seven decades later, this culture of disputation emerged as a central theme in Timothy Garton Ash’s The Magic Lantern, his eyewitness report on the Eastern European revolutions of 1989.—
Susie Linfield,
The New York Review of Books,
11 May 2022
Noun
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After two earlier attempts to pass this bill failed because of disagreements about whether confessions should be exempt from reporting mandates, the final version passed during the legislative session this spring.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
8 May 2025
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The pair’s latest dispute centers on deep disagreements over whether to focus on slashing property taxes or sales taxes.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
While Ringo tries to insist the fight is between him and Earp, Holliday says not so fast, sir, citing a quarrel earlier in the film.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2025
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The aftermath of the quarrel was captured on video later posted to social media by Only In Dade.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Some of the key arguments in recent weeks have been handled by lawyers newly hired into political, rather than career, positions.—
Eric Tucker,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2025
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Anne and Ginny’s is the sort of dynamic jagged and fluid enough to build a series around — just not this series, which, to its detriment, seems far more interested in watching Kate and Jack and Danny and Claude rehash the same old arguments with each other.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
1 May 2025
Noun
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The health care fight — over a discount drug program — will play out in the House’s Health and Human Services Committee on Monday.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
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For those who don’t regularly use the MTA, this perception is amplified by media coverage of fights, stabbings, and other acts of violence circulating on social media.—
David Garten,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversy. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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