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 polemical
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
The controversial clip in question was shared in a joint Instagram post on Tuesday.
—
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
Despite their splashy, record-breaking albums, Beyoncé and Swift are missing from this year’s lineup, though the reason isn't controversial.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Another element that’s drawn fierce criticism is allowing developers to use the city’s controversial Complete Communities incentive in Ocean Beach as long as a property isn’t the site of a historic cottage.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Lynton doesn’t know if the book will be seen as controversial.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
Despite their splashy, record-breaking albums, Beyoncé and Swift are missing from this year’s lineup, though the reason isn't controversial.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Another element that’s drawn fierce criticism is allowing developers to use the city’s controversial Complete Communities incentive in Ocean Beach as long as a property isn’t the site of a historic cottage.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Lynton doesn’t know if the book will be seen as controversial.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversial
Adjective
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The permits that both companies have received to test and operate their self-driving vehicles became a contentious issue in the lead up to the listings.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
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The three faced off in two contentious debates in October, in which Mamdani and Cuomo sparred over issues of integrity and experience while Sliwa sought to paint them as two sides of the same ideological coin.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Hollywood has become petrified of anything close to polemical.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
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The White House’s approach to social media now resembles the polemical, trolling, vicious manner of posting that Fuentes and his fans helped pioneer.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That’s the kind of chance that last season, a more aggressive-looking Stolarz would have used his frame — and frankly, his big-game presence — to turn away with ease.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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The agency has also faced criticism for aggressive tactics used by ICE agents in executing the president’s immigration policy.—
Andy Rose 19 hr ago,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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