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
Continue reading … AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ – Test yourself on culinary controversies and presidential proclamations.
—
FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Minnesota has been under scrutiny in recent weeks over yearslong investigations and controversies about alleged fraud in child-care centers.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2026
McFadden, a Democrat who has been sheriff since 2018, faces the prospect of being removed from office after more than a year of public controversies.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
His controversies and busy acting career haven’t stalled his standup career too much; Epps is on comedy tour now which lands at Tommy T’s comedy club in Pleasanton this weekend.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
Other controversies from Chase's career are also explored in the doc — including a 2012 incident on the set of Community in which Chevy used the N-word and was then fired from the show.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
National news remains fixated on controversies at elite campuses, skewing the public’s perception of the institutions that serve the majority of students.
—Yolanda Watson Spiva, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Several controversies have circled the production, including criticism from Paris Jackson.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
The issues come during a notably eventful DWTS season, with controversies surrounding contestant exits, accusations of favoritism and social media conflicts already drawing widespread attention.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Minnesota has been under scrutiny in recent weeks over yearslong investigations and controversies about alleged fraud in child-care centers.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2026
McFadden, a Democrat who has been sheriff since 2018, faces the prospect of being removed from office after more than a year of public controversies.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
His controversies and busy acting career haven’t stalled his standup career too much; Epps is on comedy tour now which lands at Tommy T’s comedy club in Pleasanton this weekend.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
Other controversies from Chase's career are also explored in the doc — including a 2012 incident on the set of Community in which Chevy used the N-word and was then fired from the show.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
National news remains fixated on controversies at elite campuses, skewing the public’s perception of the institutions that serve the majority of students.
—Yolanda Watson Spiva, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Several controversies have circled the production, including criticism from Paris Jackson.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
The issues come during a notably eventful DWTS season, with controversies surrounding contestant exits, accusations of favoritism and social media conflicts already drawing widespread attention.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
Noun
-
Opening arguments in a Stanford felony vandalism case began Friday amid sharp disputes over whether political views tied to Israel’s war in Gaza should factor into the trial — an issue that has shaped the case from its earliest stages.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Keeping Tabs on Car and Insurance-Related Documents Good documentation helps save time and stress during claims or disputes.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
-
Or one who dismissed concerns from Black New Yorkers by citing disagreements with African leaders.—
David Moore,
New York Daily News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas gave fans a glimpse into one of their ongoing disagreements at the 2026 Golden Globes on Sunday night.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Minneapolis is once again the focus of debates about violence involving law enforcement after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, in her car.—
Ben Jones,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Mindful debates can nourish open communication.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But by agreeing to disagree on these ideological quarrels, negotiators could manage to find ways to prevent them from triggering unnecessary crises.—
Mohammad Javad Zarif,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Dec. 2025
-
There is enough division already without such quarrels.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
In one sketch, a husband and wife decide to get a divorce due to irreconcilable political differences.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Nutrient Comparison Oats and almonds are both packed with nutrition, but there are some important differences between the two.—
Brianna Tobritzhofer,
Health,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
No arrests, detentions or altercations with police were reported.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Loud sounds of rioters and altercations with Capitol Police could be heard clearly.—
Sarah Ghermay,
Washington Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Powell trial could serve as a literal test case to see how a jury reacts to testimony about allegations that date back some 50 years and arguments about what level of scrutiny Riverside should have given Lorch and the basketball program.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Why did so many people in states with Democrat-majority governments want to keep the COVID emergency going, want it so badly that all rational arguments offered in support of reopening were ignored or answered with obscenity-laden accusations of grandma-killing?—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share