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 incumbent operates more quietly than his predecessor, whose controversial statements and personal life routinely made news.
—
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
After a controversial third season, Euphoria’s finale on May 31 saw Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie Howard double down on her OnlyFans career after losing her husband Nate Jacobs—a move that cemented widespread backlash over her hyper-sexualized storyline.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 1 June 2026
But Platner's controversial past keeps catching up with him.
—June 1, NPR, 1 June 2026
But Andrew's controversial online presence has come at a cost.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
After a controversial third season, Euphoria’s finale on May 31 saw Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie Howard double down on her OnlyFans career after losing her husband Nate Jacobs—a move that cemented widespread backlash over her hyper-sexualized storyline.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 1 June 2026
But Platner's controversial past keeps catching up with him.
—June 1, NPR, 1 June 2026
But Andrew's controversial online presence has come at a cost.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversial
Adjective
-
Firpi has appeared as either a psychological evaluator or guardian ad litem in numerous contentious custody battles.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
-
Water use is emerging as one of the most contentious data center issues.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Colleges and universities nationwide continue to grapple with polemic issues associated with the fair treatment of individuals of differing backgrounds, political persuasions, and sexuality.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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This kind of depravity, licentiousness and polemical theatrics has no place on such a traditional and once wholesome presentation of the coming of a new year in our great nation and especially on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the greatest experiment in democracy and freedom in history.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That, in turn, catalyzed the most aggressive Fed rate-hiking cycle ever and a bear market.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
-
Carolina’s penalty kill is extremely aggressive all over the ice.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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