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
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Recent Examples of controversies
Target, the second-largest public corporation headquartered in the state (after UnitedHealth), experienced a front-page blowback from political controversies twice in recent years.
—
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Elon Musk’s growing involvement in international politics, social media controversies, and ideological battles has begun to bleed into Tesla’s brand perception—particularly outside the United States.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
In granting that request, the court rejected a motion filed by Ohio State, which contended that the plaintiffs were only trying to draw Wexner into their case based on unrelated controversies.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Close results could be followed by raucous recounts and court controversies of the kind that made Florida the focal point in the 2000 presidential election.
—Robert A. Strong, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
As their newest scandal balloons, the Beckhams are being haunted by the ghosts of controversies past on all sides.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026
The daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of the independent Republic of India, her tenure was marred by controversies and unrest.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The Republican congressman has kept Phillips close despite a trail of controversies that long predates their personal and professional ties.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Tertullian’s warnings reflect controversies surrounding women’s leadership and imply that some women claimed Thecla’s example as justification for preaching.
—Christy Cobb, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Elon Musk’s growing involvement in international politics, social media controversies, and ideological battles has begun to bleed into Tesla’s brand perception—particularly outside the United States.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
In granting that request, the court rejected a motion filed by Ohio State, which contended that the plaintiffs were only trying to draw Wexner into their case based on unrelated controversies.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Close results could be followed by raucous recounts and court controversies of the kind that made Florida the focal point in the 2000 presidential election.
—Robert A. Strong, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
As their newest scandal balloons, the Beckhams are being haunted by the ghosts of controversies past on all sides.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026
The daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of the independent Republic of India, her tenure was marred by controversies and unrest.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The Republican congressman has kept Phillips close despite a trail of controversies that long predates their personal and professional ties.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Tertullian’s warnings reflect controversies surrounding women’s leadership and imply that some women claimed Thecla’s example as justification for preaching.
—Christy Cobb, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
Noun
-
Think of them like a referee of sorts—someone who can make official calls when questions or disputes come up.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Jan. 2026
-
For hours, in the suffocating heat, Dooley sifted through endless accounts of mundane colonial matters—church records, itemizations, legal disputes, petty complaints.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 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
-
The episode has punctured Preckwinkle’s reputation for managerial skill — a primary reason this page has endorsed her in previous elections despite some disagreements with other aspects of her record.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Trump has demanded a resolution to the two countries’ long-standing disagreements about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Despite their central role, nonprofits are routinely treated as afterthoughts in budget debates and regulatory design.—
Cat Ward,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Malcolm’s subjects are very old-school, doctrinaire, rigid Freudian psychoanalysts who get involved in impossibly obscure academic debates.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some of the quarrels that divided Minneapolis city leaders only a few weeks ago, over policing or Gaza or the budget, have faded as people have come together to oppose ICE.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Washington’s choice prioritized American independence over European quarrels.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The pursuers yelled taunts, threw bottles, and expected the two women to settle their differences with a fistfight, according to court records.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The bottom line Gold and silver serve different purposes in an investment portfolio, and 2026 is shaping up to be another year where those differences matter.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Although government officials have claimed that Good and Pretti were both aggressors in their altercations, footage captured by bystanders appeared to contradict those claims.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Agents themselves are pulling out their phones during altercations with protesters.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In support of the Fed’s independence, current and former Fed officials attended the oral arguments, including Fed Governor Michael Barr, former Fed Chair Ben Bernanke, and Powell himself.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The Supreme Court previously allowed Cook to remain in her role pending the oral arguments.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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