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 The question also raised the recent spread of controversies over individual films into attacks on cast and crew and campaigns to halt screenings. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 Fox and its founder, Rupert Murdoch, have faced controversies, scandals and litigation before. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies

Noun

The three fell out over disputes about the charter school’s management.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
That growth has fueled disputes with states and Native American tribes over regulatory authority, while drawing scrutiny from sports leagues over game integrity and from advocates who say the platforms’ accessibility increases the risk of addiction.

— Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

The agreement’s broad promises — a new Palestinian administration, an international security force, Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal — have stalled amid deepening disagreements.

— Joseph Krauss, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Gowanus Green, as shown in this rendering, is planned to be 100 percent affordable, but construction stalled due to disagreements over cleanup standards.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of disagreements

Noun

The Sox’s pitching plans are a daily mystery, and worries over Grant Taylor’s right arm falling off have become nightly debates in South Side bars.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
The 2000 contest was the last Texas Senate race with no general election debates.

— Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of debates

Noun

The overtones of social significance are adroitly handled and make real sense in an era of tragic international quarrels.

— THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of quarrels

Noun

Mann commented that one of the differences between his approach to content creation and the legacy businesses is the speed of development and production.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Consumer spending resilience may be better explained by generations than by income differences, said economist Ed Yardeni, president and chief investment strategist of Yardeni Research.

— Sharon Epperson, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of differences

Noun

Images showed altercations between police and protesters, with officers using batons to strike demonstrators, who threw barriers.

— Joseph Wilson, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
The election is taking place amid heightened political tensions in Serbia, with reports of incidents and physical altercations at campaign events.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of altercations

Browse Nearby Words

controversial

controversies

controversy

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“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of controversies

noun

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