controversies

noun

plural of controversy
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

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 As Crowley sprinted across the state to capture undecided voters, Hong was batting down controversies. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 But controversies tied to the people around him — most recently antisemitic and white nationalist social media posts by his son-in-law — have dogged him throughout his campaign. — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Whether cyberattacks, executive controversies, misinformation, supply chain disruptions or regulatory challenges, all brand incidents follow a similar pattern. — Shannon Reedy, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Confronting his controversies goes hand in hand with examining the designer’s work, given that Galliano has profoundly influenced fashion’s roadmap either way, the Costume Institute said in a statement announcing the exhibit’s theme. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026 Rodriguez told Allure last week that these 2026 updates are not about getting away from past controversies but about new resources available to the brand. — James Manso, Allure, 3 Aug. 2026 Ferguson said that the years of lawsuits and controversies involving the department have contributed to a lack of public trust. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 Critics have suggested Engelbert be fired for her handling of the league's controversies this season and in recent years. — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026 Just look at some of the controversies from the last few playoff matchups, and how players such as Aaron Ekblad and Niko Mikkola became villains. — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
  1. disputes
  2. disputations
  3. disagreements
  4. debates
  5. quarrels
  6. differences
  7. altercations
  8. arguments
Noun
  • Four seasons later, the veteran defensive tackle has returned to a different team — one that missed the playoffs for the first time in six years, is reeling over contract disputes and is looking to rebuild on both sides of the ball.
    — Abby DiSalvo, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The space is more neutral, particularly if disputes between roommates must be mediated or there are other sensitive matters, according to Max Koskoff, associate director for regional campus programs.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of disputes
Noun
  • According to him, advances in machine learning have yanked questions once trapped inside theological/philosophical disputations into corporate board packs.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Definition of disputations
Noun
  • The Arizona Republican said his respect for Ossoff’s character outweighed their policy disagreements.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In the years before David’s death, Herb claims that David had repeatedly attempted to buy him out of SFG, but those talks broke down over disagreements on the valuation of his stake.
    — Kirk Ogunrinde, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of disagreements
Noun
  • Blackburn declined in July to participate in any debates, and Rose backed out when it was set to be only him and Fritts on stage.
    — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Larkin has used Moskowitz’s refusal to appear with him to accuse the reelection-seeking congressman of ducking debates and avoiding the voters.
    — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of debates
Noun
  • Candi is the family mediator Like any father-daughter coaching dynamic, Corey and Coco have had their fair share of quarrels on the tennis court.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
Definition of quarrels
Noun
  • These differences likely stem from the fact that keeping kids off screens requires time and money—which wealthy parents tend to have more of.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But within the leadership, there are sharp differences over what the endgame should be.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of differences
Noun
  • In court filings, ex-wife Emily Moreno alleged that Miller has repeatedly had physical and verbal altercations with her attorney, Andrew Zashin, after recent court hearings in an ongoing custody battle.
    — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • She's also stood up for Caitlin Clark when some, uh, jealous opponents have gone after her with overly physical fouls or altercations, which instantly increased her popularity among Clark's massive fan base.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of altercations
Noun
  • The Sezioni Unite — the highest rung of the Cassazione — accepted her arguments and overturned previous rulings, including one by a lower tier of the Cassazione which had upheld the minor issue as recently as 2024.
    — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • They are sometimes submitted by outside parties in lawsuits to help stress particular arguments or inform a judge’s thinking.
    — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of arguments

Browse Nearby Words

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controversies
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Cite this Entry

“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of controversies for Spanish Speakers

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