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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of controversial
But the matchup turned controversial in the third quarter.
—
Natasha Dye, People.com, 19 May 2025
Would the controversial election of Harold Baines, in a 2019 era-committee election, have happened if Tony La Russa and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf had not been on that committee?
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The Pac-12 Network officially shut down in June 2024.
After abandoning its pricey (and controversial) downtown San Francisco office digs, the conference was able to cut its occupancy expenditures by more than 60%—from $9.8 million in FY23 to just $3.86 million in FY24.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 16 May 2025
Fifty years ago on April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War ended with North Vietnamese troops taking Saigon, bringing an end to what had been America’s most controversial war.
—Stan Godlewski, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Natasha Dye, People.com, 19 May 2025
Would the controversial election of Harold Baines, in a 2019 era-committee election, have happened if Tony La Russa and White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf had not been on that committee?
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The Pac-12 Network officially shut down in June 2024.
After abandoning its pricey (and controversial) downtown San Francisco office digs, the conference was able to cut its occupancy expenditures by more than 60%—from $9.8 million in FY23 to just $3.86 million in FY24.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 16 May 2025
Fifty years ago on April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War ended with North Vietnamese troops taking Saigon, bringing an end to what had been America’s most controversial war.
—Stan Godlewski, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversial
Adjective
-
This is a flawed sin; trying to make something happen in a contentious area with a bunch of people who had their own history.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
-
Last week, America welcomed the first group of South African Afrikaans refugees to the country, a move which has proved contentious.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
Even so, the aggressive play in this post-season has stood out.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
-
However, thanks to aggressive conservation efforts, including predator control programs, habitat restoration, and breeding initiatives, several kiwi species have seen rebounds.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share