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
Trump not only addressed the rumors swirling about his death and health in the speech to his top allies, but also the controversial changes to the historic rose garden.
—
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
One area that is unlikely to see any reform is Thailand’s controversial royal defamation law, given Anutin’s royalist leanings.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Cillian Murphy plays the titular Steve, a beloved teacher at a controversial school that uses public funds to house violent and antisocial boys in a shabby old mansion.
—Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
An appeals court found Thursday that the controversial detention center in the Florida Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz can stay open for now.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
One area that is unlikely to see any reform is Thailand’s controversial royal defamation law, given Anutin’s royalist leanings.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
Cillian Murphy plays the titular Steve, a beloved teacher at a controversial school that uses public funds to house violent and antisocial boys in a shabby old mansion.
—Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
An appeals court found Thursday that the controversial detention center in the Florida Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz can stay open for now.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversial
Adjective
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Real World alum and life coach Kelley Wolf plans to attend a treatment center amid her contentious divorce from her estranged husband, Party of Five actor Scott Wolf.—
Ryan Coleman September 2,
EW.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Such a contentious course will never happen as there are many opposed to such a radical move.—
Vipin Bharathan,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Mid-summer changes to United’s revolving credit facility indicated a switch in strategy, and there was a more aggressive approach in the market following a summit in Iceland between Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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The occurrences grew more aggressive over time, with the Smurls' 75-pound German shepherd getting slammed into a wall and Jack getting attacked while praying.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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