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
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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
But sharing the now controversial Wayfarer name may have led to its shutdown.
—
Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
The role of Shell, ousted from his previous role running NBCUniversal after acknowledging an inappropriate relationship with an underling, has been controversial.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
Congressional Republicans voted 218-214 to pass President Trump’s controversial $4.5 trillion budget bill Thursday after pulling an all-nighter to deliver a major Independence Day political win for the White House.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 3 July 2025
The rapid conclusion to the case highlights the controversial role plea deals have taken on in the criminal justice system, at times over the objections of victims' families and criminal justice reform advocates.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
The role of Shell, ousted from his previous role running NBCUniversal after acknowledging an inappropriate relationship with an underling, has been controversial.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2025
Congressional Republicans voted 218-214 to pass President Trump’s controversial $4.5 trillion budget bill Thursday after pulling an all-nighter to deliver a major Independence Day political win for the White House.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 3 July 2025
The rapid conclusion to the case highlights the controversial role plea deals have taken on in the criminal justice system, at times over the objections of victims' families and criminal justice reform advocates.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for controversial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversial
Adjective
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Hearing From The Other Side Like most important aspects of life, there are two sides to this contentious coin.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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One of the more contentious aspects of passing the bill was what to do with the cap on state and local tax deductions, or the SALT cap.—
Alicia Adamczyk,
Fortune,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Turkeys may become aggressive and territorial if comfortable in suburban areas.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
10 July 2025
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With that in mind, it's expected the Dodgers will be very aggressive at the trade deadline.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Controversial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversial. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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