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
The strike on the girls’ school has been one of the central controversies of the war.
—
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the game has seen another uptick in popularity—especially with younger players who in prior generations might have been the ones rolling their eyes at their elders’ gossipy game nights—and an increase in controversies.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 10 Mar. 2026
Van Der Mark has been a leader in pushing several Huntington Beach controversies and would bring that style to the Assembly.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
Below that, in even smaller type, Gascón compared her and Chalamet's controversies.
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Mar. 2026
The president had stood by her for months despite a string of controversies.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Prasad's latest ouster follows a string of high-profile controversies involving the FDA's review of vaccines, gene therapies and biotech drugs in which companies have criticized the agency for reversing itself, in some cases calling for new trials of products previously greenlighted by regulators.
—CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
The situation echoes previous controversies involving relatives of senior Iranian officials living in the United States.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Vinay Prasad, a top official at the Food and Drug Administration who has been at the center of recurring public controversies, is exiting the agency for a second time.
—Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the game has seen another uptick in popularity—especially with younger players who in prior generations might have been the ones rolling their eyes at their elders’ gossipy game nights—and an increase in controversies.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 10 Mar. 2026
Van Der Mark has been a leader in pushing several Huntington Beach controversies and would bring that style to the Assembly.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
Below that, in even smaller type, Gascón compared her and Chalamet's controversies.
—Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Mar. 2026
The president had stood by her for months despite a string of controversies.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Prasad's latest ouster follows a string of high-profile controversies involving the FDA's review of vaccines, gene therapies and biotech drugs in which companies have criticized the agency for reversing itself, in some cases calling for new trials of products previously greenlighted by regulators.
—CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
The situation echoes previous controversies involving relatives of senior Iranian officials living in the United States.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Vinay Prasad, a top official at the Food and Drug Administration who has been at the center of recurring public controversies, is exiting the agency for a second time.
—Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
Noun
-
Brown University School of Health policy researcher Jason Buxbaum said most similar disputes end within weeks; others within three months.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The initiative, the mayor said at press conference to announce the creation of the force, is designed to help residents navigate disputes and connect with state regulators, providing guidance and support in situations where board mismanagement leaves residents at a disadvantage.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 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
-
When disagreements arise, acknowledge everyone’s different points of view before jumping to defend your ideas.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
At least one Senate Democrat, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, announced support for Mullin’s confirmation, suggesting some bipartisan recognition that leadership changes alone may not resolve deeper disagreements over immigration enforcement policy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The seven-time winning Lambda Literary Award finalist released her memoir in 2018, in the midst of the rapidly intensifying cultural and legal debates around trans rights.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The legalization, set to trigger gambling in neighborhoods across the city, was not a major focus of budget debates.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Avoid money quarrels with everyone.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His quarrels with Massie and interest in relitigating the 2020 election seem to animate him more, too.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Piedmont’s data shows the overall winter season was colder in several months compared with the previous winter, though the differences varied by month.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Mar. 2026
-
While newborn screening identifies rare disease conditions in approximately 14,000 babies annually, the new research highlights how differences in state screening panels mean not all babies have the same opportunity for early detection.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But in a rare but potentially growing number of instances, local law enforcement officers say, frustrations on the Valley’s increasingly congested roads are escalating into threats, altercations and sometimes deadly violence.—
Rose Evans
Updated March 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Lakewood police said officers returned to the area later after receiving reports of altercations, injuries, and a growing crowd of onlookers.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Armed with those arguments and others, Staples and Beaulac traveled to Washington recently to make their case against the SOB Act with lawmakers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
In Monday’s closing arguments, Ye’s attorney, Andrew Cherlaskey, refuted reportage that his client had fallen asleep during his testimony.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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