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 These controversies highlighted broader concerns regarding consistency, predictability, and transparency in the drug review process. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 14 July 2026 The works are scheduled to go on display in Europe, and the trove’s impending departure has ignited one of Mexico’s most heated cultural controversies in recent memory. — Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 There have been no shortage of controversies at this year’s World Cup, which enters its final leg this with the final match happening Sunday. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 14 July 2026 Trust metrics slipped as well, a decline the report links to a run of editorial controversies during the year. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2026 Her effort to reshape coverage has been met with a series of controversies, including firings and fiery resignations by CBS journalists accusing her of bias, which the network and Weiss deny. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 13 July 2026 Katz advised Platner to drop out of the general election before the controversies could worsen for him. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026 Throughout his illustrious career, Messi has cultivated a measured public image, rarely commenting on politics or becoming involved in major public controversies. — Juan Melamed, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2026 MacKenzie Scott isn’t exactly a woman in the middle of controversies. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies

Noun

That explains why your initial disputes with PayPal and American Express were denied.

— Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Smart contracts, tokenized assets, validator activity, and decentralized networks can create disputes that do not fit neatly within traditional commercial frameworks.

— Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

The disagreements were intelligent, experienced, and specific — and reading them in bulk did not soften my view.

— Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Recent tensions over immigration enforcement The allegations follow recent disagreements between Abarca and Forté over a legislative hearing examining local agencies’ involvement in a federal operation at La Fontanella Foods.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

Definition of disagreements

Noun

But in later debates, the two Republicans were more likely to take aim at the Democrats on stage than each other.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
In Nolan’s film, people refer to the gods, but there are no divine debates on Olympus, and, indeed, the only member of the classical Greek pantheon who actually appears is Athena (Zendaya), watching over the action intermittently.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 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

This guide draws on some of the key differences outlined by the New York Film Academy and industry sources to walk through each category.

— Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026
The results revealed the complexities of having debt while also spotlighting differences between generational cohorts.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 July 2026

Definition of differences

Noun

Retired Miami Heat forward and captain Udonis Haslem found himself in more than a few altercations during his NBA playing career.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Multiple officials say that players are advised, outside of training sessions, to remain in the hotel complexes at all times to avoid any risk of altercations or safety risks in public.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of altercations

Noun

In 2020, as critics of standardized tests made similar equity arguments, the UC system decided to remove the use of SAT and ACT test scores in admissions.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
So a judge will analyze the arguments in the lawsuit and weigh whether to grant the TRO.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 14 July 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of controversies

noun

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