CONTROVERSIES Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

controversies

noun

plural of controversy

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of controversies That project was beset by controversies and setbacks, including Essar Steel Minnesota filing for bankruptcy in 2016. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026 The Drivecast is The Drive‘s weekly podcast that takes you behind the scenes on the big stories, controversies, and characters shaping the automotive industry and the way our roads look today. — Kyle Cheromcha, The Drive, 24 Sep. 2026 The board then voted 5-4 to fire Hill, with the majority saying attention around recent controversies has detracted from their mission. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026 This isn’t the first time that Stone has waded in on one of Sweeney’s controversies. — Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026 In recent months, OpenAI has become faster at responding to public controversies. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 Over the last couple of years, there have been controversies involving athletes with professional experience being allowed to return to play in college. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026 While gaining a seat in Texas has long been a far-off dream for Democrats, Paxton’s controversies have dogged him during the race. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026 Max weathered various controversies in his personal and professional life. — Beth J. Harpaz The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies

Noun

The June agreement collapsed after disputes over the memo's vague wording, including language related to who would control the strait.

— Ava Pukatch, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026
Makary's time at the agency was defined by scientific disputes, leadership changes and a string of media stories detailing low morale and internal dysfunction among staffers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

The organization believes some of these conversations and disagreements among board members are drawing time and attention away from students, many of whom are Hispanic and come from Spanish-speaking backgrounds.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
Told through Paula’s perspective, the story delves into the relationship between the two athletes, exploring the challenges, disagreements, and partnership that helped shape one of the most successful eras in Brazilian sports.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of disagreements

Noun

Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
On the new series, some House of Stassi castmembers raised their quarrels with Maloney joining their cast.

— McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of quarrels

Noun

Venus in your sign opposes the Moon in your partnership zone, increasing attraction while making differences in comfort, affection, or timing more obvious.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
There were geographic differences in the places where cancers caused by infections occurred, too.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of differences

Noun

Domestic altercations can quickly spin out of control, making them among the most dangerous types of calls.

— Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Tchouameni and Valverde were involved in two separate altercations, a day apart, in May, with the latter taken to hospital to undergo assessments after sustaining a head injury during the second incident.

— Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of altercations

Noun

Closing arguments were presented on Tuesday, followed by the start of jury deliberations.

— CBS News, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Hannah-Jones does repeat the old arguments about why these schools fail, but in an almost perfunctory manner, the way a heretic might recite the Lord’s Prayer more out of habit than out of belief.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of arguments

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controversial

controversies

controversy

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“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of controversies

noun

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