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

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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 None of this requires a return to the controversies of corporate activism of the early 2020s. — Scott M. Curran, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 Unfortunately, the recent controversies around images of Ariana Grande and other actresses have made this argument less binary. — Marti Noxon, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 Across those years, Pereira’s conduct generated controversies and public disputes throughout Toronto’s film community. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026 Much like Cornyn did in the primary, Democrats have centered their attacks on Paxton's personal and political controversies. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Congress made this Court’s jurisdiction over controversies between two or more states exclusive. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 Given Babcock’s stubbornness and past controversies, Smith may also be given more agency to question his head coach’s decisions. — Janson Duench, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Collins campaign has been mired in a series of controversies, while Ossoff is generating presidential buzz among some Democrats. — Chris Joyner, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Now, the top elections official in a conservative California county with a long history of voting controversies is seeking to hire her to help run elections there. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
  1. disputes
  2. disputations
  3. disagreements
  4. debates
  5. quarrels
  6. differences
  7. altercations
  8. arguments
Noun
  • Miller has previously been at the center of ABS disputes while serving as crew chief for Reds games.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • An e-bike ban at Newport Beach schools has sparked disputes between students and neighbors over kids parking in their neighborhoods.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 28 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
  • His first job out of law school was as a judge’s clerk at the Court of Appeal of New Zealand, giving him a front-row seat to consequential decisions—and to people who could disagree fiercely without letting those disagreements become personal.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • And, despite trade disagreements, visitors can still get cheddar and bacon soup and filet mignon from the Canada pavilion.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of disagreements
Noun
  • In an appearance on Semafor’s Mixed Signals in the wake of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s win, Piker expressed dismay at being invoked in intra-Democratic debates.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • One of the key debates around Nvidia's stock has become whether its customers will generate sufficient returns on their AI computing infrastructure to justify continued spending on the company's chips and networking gear.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of debates
Noun
  • On the new series, some House of Stassi castmembers raised their quarrels with Maloney joining their cast.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of quarrels
Noun
  • Palal acknowledged that Davis’ accounts of the killing evolved over the years but argued those differences reflected Davis’ changing motivations and efforts to protect himself.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This approach improved statistical reliability while still allowing regional differences in climate and heat adaptation to be reflected.
    — Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of differences
Noun
  • Simple assault are altercations and incidents that don’t involve weapons or serious injuries, including domestic incidents.
    — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of altercations
Noun
  • In May 2026, oral arguments were held before the Fouth Circuit Court of Appeals.
    — Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Opening arguments started last week in the landmark trial against Meta that’s being co-led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the AGs from Colorado, New Jersey and Kentucky.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of arguments

Browse Nearby Words

controversial
controversies
controversy
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Cite this Entry

“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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