Synonyms of controversial

controversial

adjective

ˌkän-trə-ˈvər-shəl 

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

• contentious
• difficult
• polemical
• tough
• problematic
• argumentative
• hot-button
• disputatious
• thorny
• touchy
• knotty
• ticklish
• spiny
• delicate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• safe
• indisputable
• undeniable
• unquestionable
• noncontroversial
• uncontroversial
• incontestable
• incontrovertible
• indubitable
• irrefutable
• undisputed
• uncontested

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

• contentious
• polemical
• aggressive
• militant
• stubborn
• irritable
• argumentative
• unreasonable
• disputatious
• scrappy
• quarrelsome
• willful
• combative
• pugnacious
• resistant
• contrary
• belligerent
• rude
• warlike
• feisty
• bellicose
• fighting
• gladiatorial
• fractious
• acidic
• disagreeable
• cross
• wayward
• truculent
• surly
• intractable
• uncompromising
• ornery
• uncooperative
• balky
• perverse
• recalcitrant
• obstinate
• disobedient
• restive
• cantankerous
• irascible
• refractory
• touchy
• battling
• splenetic
• insubordinate
• peevish
• testy
• captious
• petulant
• headstrong
• obdurate
• bilious
• fretful
• unbending
• mulish
• waspish
• warring
• grumpy
• querulous
• dyspeptic
• unyielding
• snappish
• grouchy
• hardheaded
• huffy
• pettish
• froward
• choleric
• bearish
• cranky
• ill-tempered
• crabby
• pigheaded
• ill-humored
• ill-natured
• self-willed
• snappy
• self-opinionated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• friendly
• benevolent
• amiable
• cooperative
• gracious
• amicable
• good-natured
• affable
• easygoing
• cordial
• agreeable
• amenable
• genial
• conciliatory
• sociable
• compliant
• ingratiating
• complying
• acquiescent
• complaisant
• docile
• tractable
• peaceful
• good-tempered
• obedient
• submissive
• peaceable
• obliging
• pacific

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of controversial

Samuel Eto’o, who recently told CNN Sports in an exclusive interview that Infantino hasn’t done anything wrong and actually called for the controversial plan that caused this tumultuous situation to be revisited. — Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Hoult had faced some backlash from fans for his decision to join the show, as has every member of its cast, due to Rowling's history of controversial anti-trans commentary. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026

Platner exited the race as reports about controversial behavior with past girlfriends snuffed out support for his campaign. — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026

The use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials is controversial, with critics saying the practice chills creative expression and allows prosecutors to distort hyperbolic art in ways that reinforce racist stereotypes. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026