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
Relevance
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
Things got slightly more chaotic when Kaufman introduced a child's costume that saw a youngster walk out to set with a barrel over his body, with the controversial — and subsequently canceled — Cracker Barrel logo on it.
—
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Pop culture faves from throwback TV, film and music icons to more recent trending phenomena took center stage as the hosts avoided controversial choices.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
One longtime Red Sox reporter and expert believes that the team has one right under its collective nose, but Breslow will need to make a decision that is sure to be controversial in order to secure him.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The executive also revealed that the futuristic grand tourer’s controversial look is supposed to be divisive.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Pop culture faves from throwback TV, film and music icons to more recent trending phenomena took center stage as the hosts avoided controversial choices.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
One longtime Red Sox reporter and expert believes that the team has one right under its collective nose, but Breslow will need to make a decision that is sure to be controversial in order to secure him.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The executive also revealed that the futuristic grand tourer’s controversial look is supposed to be divisive.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversial
Adjective
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Sia's contentious divorce just reached a whole new level of acrimony.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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Before the vote, Mueller engaged in a contentious exchange with Canepa over the appointment route.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of the aggressive tactics used by Border Patrol and ICE, including against US citizens.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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The Chiefs were again aggressive on fourth down — and successful at stopping them, too.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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