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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of controversial
In recent years, the reality show underwent a contemporary reexamination in the age of social media, with fans reigniting conversations about controversial elements of the show, such as shoots that darkened models' skin to portray different ethnicities, body-shaming panelists, and more.
—
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Almost all discussion about House Bill 991/Senate Bill 1334 is the highly controversial element that would require Floridians registering to vote or changing their address or party affiliation to show proof of citizenship.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
Not all of the new directors at NIH have been controversial, however.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
After Spencer and wife Heidi Montag lost their home in the Palisades fire more than a year ago, the reality TV fixture has emerged as an influential and controversial public policy critic.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Almost all discussion about House Bill 991/Senate Bill 1334 is the highly controversial element that would require Floridians registering to vote or changing their address or party affiliation to show proof of citizenship.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
Not all of the new directors at NIH have been controversial, however.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026
After Spencer and wife Heidi Montag lost their home in the Palisades fire more than a year ago, the reality TV fixture has emerged as an influential and controversial public policy critic.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversial
Adjective
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The discussion around tips remains contentious, and California lawmakers have struggled with how to handle the imperfect solution of service fees.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Over the past several weeks, Israel has launched a contentious land regulation process that will deepen its control in the occupied West Bank.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The operation also resulted in the killing of two US citizens, the deployment of aggressive tactics by armed, masked DHS agents, and a soaring sense of trepidation permeating Minnesota’s immigrant communities.—
Yahya Salem,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Torres Hidalgo had been diagnosed with the rare and aggressive form of soft tissue cancer in December 2024.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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