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 The Fever have won seven of their last nine despite being the focal point of so many controversies. — CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026 But their success on the floor has often been subsumed by controversies. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026 Tangent Lindell has faced several controversies during the campaign. — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Old tweets haunt Democratic candidate Can Hong get past controversies? — Terry Collins, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 While the charges against LeVota continue to roil Jackson County, some leaders are hoping the fractured county can soon move past its longstanding controversies. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026 As Crowley sprinted across the state to capture undecided voters, Hong was batting down controversies. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 But controversies tied to the people around him — most recently antisemitic and white nationalist social media posts by his son-in-law — have dogged him throughout his campaign. — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Embattled Central Florida Congressman Cory Mills faced off in a fiery primary debate with three fellow Republicans Wednesday evening, in which the political issues were largely overshadowed by his many controversies. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies

Noun

Four seasons later, the veteran defensive tackle has returned to a different team — one that missed the playoffs for the first time in six years, is reeling over contract disputes and is looking to rebuild on both sides of the ball.

— Abby DiSalvo, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
The space is more neutral, particularly if disputes between roommates must be mediated or there are other sensitive matters, according to Max Koskoff, associate director for regional campus programs.

— Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

The Arizona Republican said his respect for Ossoff’s character outweighed their policy disagreements.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
In the years before David’s death, Herb claims that David had repeatedly attempted to buy him out of SFG, but those talks broke down over disagreements on the valuation of his stake.

— Kirk Ogunrinde, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of disagreements

Noun

Blackburn declined in July to participate in any debates, and Rose backed out when it was set to be only him and Fritts on stage.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Larkin has used Moskowitz’s refusal to appear with him to accuse the reelection-seeking congressman of ducking debates and avoiding the voters.

— Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 6 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

Aside from gameplay, the real blow-your-socks-off differences are in franchise mode where the team has put their money where their proverbial mouth is with the best version of the iconic feature.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The researchers also detected differences in the brain activity associated with faces showing fear versus anger or sadness.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 10 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

That argument, however, did not go far with Hall, nor did his other arguments.

— Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Similarly, Sweeney was unpersuaded by NCAA legal arguments that, as a private, membership association, it is owed deference in making business judgments before findings of antitrust liability.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 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 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of controversies

noun

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