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
This vessel has a controversial past, built by Nazi Germany in 1935 as SSS *Horst Wessel*, named after a Nazi martyr, before being taken as war reparations by the US.
—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Rowling's controversial politics have complicated the legacy of Harry Potter for both the fans of the series and the actors who originally brought it to life on the big screen.
—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
30 June 2026
Prolific through the ensuing decades, Byrne appeared in a string of high-profile films throughout the 1990s, including the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies and Bryan Singer’s controversial Apt Pupil.
—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
30 June 2026
Inspired by Luther Vernacular Bible translations became more common – but no less controversial – thanks to Martin Luther.
—
Michael Bruening,
The Conversation,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Peter Suciu,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Rowling's controversial politics have complicated the legacy of Harry Potter for both the fans of the series and the actors who originally brought it to life on the big screen.
—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
30 June 2026
Prolific through the ensuing decades, Byrne appeared in a string of high-profile films throughout the 1990s, including the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies and Bryan Singer’s controversial Apt Pupil.
—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
30 June 2026
Inspired by Luther Vernacular Bible translations became more common – but no less controversial – thanks to Martin Luther.
—
Michael Bruening,
The Conversation,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversial
Adjective
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This is not so different from the Founders’ vision of democracy, in which a federal system with independent, coequal branches of government forces collisions of competing interests that can get contentious, even chaotic, before compromises are forged.
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But with the Turnberry Agreement finally finding its footing, a reopening of wounds and a reignition of a contentious trade battle has likely held little appeal for the EU.
Adjective
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In her account, Richmond indeed emerges as its progenitor—through his theorizing, his behind-the-scenes parliamentary and polemical maneuvering, and his patronage of Thomas Paine.
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The slapstick titles—Crackned Horsez, To of Them, Ape Island, all 1972—further stymied any straightforwardly polemical takeaway.
Adjective
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Grey-zone tactics refer to a range of aggressive tactics that vary from navy ship patrols to drone flights, but fall short of direct combat.
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That will be decided in the coming hours, as the Heat remains in aggressive pursuit of a trade for Antetokounmpo.
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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