1
as in disputes
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions
the seemingly imperishable controversy over the teaching of evolution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in disputations
variance of opinion on a matter
there is considerable controversy regarding the assassination of President Kennedy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of controversies
But the Dodgers organization seems to always find itself in the middle of other off-field controversies, and last season was no exception.
—
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Can Foxx remember a time when all three main wings of local government in Charlotte were dealing with such big changes and controversies?
—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2026
The regulations have produced numerous significant discoveries, along with some controversies.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
This incident adds to a long history of controversies, including founder Chip Wilson's past insensitive remarks, recurring quality issues with sheer yoga pants, false health claims, and a recent PFAS investigation.
—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
There is a growing recognition that younger royals are keen to focus public attention on their own families, their own lives, and the future rather than controversies from the past.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
29 June 2026
But Platner, an oyster farmer, political newcomer and favorite of the progressive wing of the party, must overcome multiple controversies that came to light during his primary campaign.
—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
However, injuries and controversies cratered how people think about him.
—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Has this reignited the controversies surrounding you and your translation?
—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
23 June 2026
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Can Foxx remember a time when all three main wings of local government in Charlotte were dealing with such big changes and controversies?
—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2026
The regulations have produced numerous significant discoveries, along with some controversies.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
This incident adds to a long history of controversies, including founder Chip Wilson's past insensitive remarks, recurring quality issues with sheer yoga pants, false health claims, and a recent PFAS investigation.
—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
There is a growing recognition that younger royals are keen to focus public attention on their own families, their own lives, and the future rather than controversies from the past.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
29 June 2026
But Platner, an oyster farmer, political newcomer and favorite of the progressive wing of the party, must overcome multiple controversies that came to light during his primary campaign.
—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
However, injuries and controversies cratered how people think about him.
—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Has this reignited the controversies surrounding you and your translation?
—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
Noun
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Showdowns over international inspectors caused years of disputes between the US and Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and more recently Iran.
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Council members ultimately said the purpose of the sister city program was to build relationships between communities, not to settle international political disputes.
Noun
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According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.
Noun
-
There’s also continuing disagreements that could unravel the deal.
-
Given the patchy nature of Paleolithic evidence, this matter has provoked many disagreements, which began long before the publication of The Stone Age Diet.
Noun
-
The measure received bipartisan support from legislators and was approved with little discussion Thursday, unlike the housing bond and ‘rainy day fund’ debates.
-
But the conversations and debates happening — whether within families, in clinics, or on public platforms — should be based on facts, not judgment.
Noun
-
Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.
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In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild.
Noun
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Advocates said special education doesn’t belong in a health department, which usually treats disabilities as conditions to manage, instead of differences in how children learn.
-
Sources told Axios that both sides agreed to halt attacks on each other and meet in Qatar on Tuesday to resolve differences over the Strait of Hormuz.
Noun
-
During his time with the Pistons, he was known for getting into altercations with opposing players, most recently in February 2026, when he was suspended for seven games following a fight with the Charlotte Hornets.
-
Court documents describe multiple violent altercations between Spencer and his wife leading up to the murder and one arrest after Spencer hit his wife and threatened to kill her.
Noun
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Trump had campaigned on restricting birthright citizenship, arguing that the citizenship clause had been misinterpreted, and attended the April 2026 oral arguments in a first for a sitting president.
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Now, after oral arguments in January, the laws will be protected.
Cite this Entry
“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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