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
Located opposite the balcony where King was shot, the museum’s new Legacy Experience focuses, with urgency, on the modern era, with its controversies over immigration and Black Lives Matter activism.
—
Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
And other controversies, like the war in Iran, have overtaken the immigration policy debate.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 9 June 2026
His allies in Congress have largely defended him, while acknowledging the controversies.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 9 June 2026
The results will offer clues about how much tolerance voters have for candidates embroiled in controversies.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Due to political controversies at home the shipments had been made mainly through third countries.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
The controversies surrounding him could help Collins, who has a track record as a political survivor, Brewer said.
—Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
The circumstances surrounding the exits vary, ranging from routine retirements, campus controversies, personal peccadillos, serious health issues, fractious relationships between campus leaders and governing boards, and visions of greener pastures.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
The text messages are just the latest in a string of controversies surrounding Platner.
—Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 1 June 2026
Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
And other controversies, like the war in Iran, have overtaken the immigration policy debate.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 9 June 2026
His allies in Congress have largely defended him, while acknowledging the controversies.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 9 June 2026
The results will offer clues about how much tolerance voters have for candidates embroiled in controversies.
—Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
Due to political controversies at home the shipments had been made mainly through third countries.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
The controversies surrounding him could help Collins, who has a track record as a political survivor, Brewer said.
—Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
The circumstances surrounding the exits vary, ranging from routine retirements, campus controversies, personal peccadillos, serious health issues, fractious relationships between campus leaders and governing boards, and visions of greener pastures.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
The text messages are just the latest in a string of controversies surrounding Platner.
—Adisa Hargett-Robinson, The Washington Examiner, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies
Noun
-
His brief tenure was characterized by disputes with the president over North Korea, Iran and Ukraine.—
Eric Tucker,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Community associations have found themselves in the spotlight recently with headlines about rising maintenance fees, contentious board decisions, and disputes between residents and leadership.—
Niurys Robaina,
Miami Herald,
4 June 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
-
Internal disagreements over strategy, including the role of tech donors, also emerged as a key reason Mahan failed to take off.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
7 June 2026
-
The disagreements seem to be one-way in that the sheriff wants to change the wording of agreements now rather than on the contract’s closing date.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
The jury, under the excellent presidency of Park Chan-wook, who was both generous and confident, had extremely varied and highly democratic debates.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
4 June 2026
-
Giant has provoked so many think-pieces and conversations and debates, which have caused people to flock to the show — you guys made your money back in 10 weeks, which just doesn’t happen.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
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
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In a 2024 study, researchers found that chimpanzee mothers tended to step in to defend their children in quarrels—say, over food or space in a tree—in about half of cases the researchers observed in the wild.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
There may be some differences between the audio and the text.—
Zulekha Nathoo,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
This is not a question of ideological differences or of the trade-offs inherent to building a diverse coalition.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Over the last few months, Taylor has been embroiled in a series of legal battles with Mortensen, first beginning in February with a pair of investigations by Utah police departments into allegations each made that the other acted violently during altercations that month.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
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Durso alleged that Valle was upset after the previous altercations and lost his cool when his friend’s vehicle was damaged by the crowd of youths who rocked and shook the vehicle Valle and his friends arrived in.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Kennedy and his allies within the Republican Party and the wider movement behind them have consistently made three arguments as to why all of us should abandon vaccination.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
For England fan Steve Grant, the biennial arguments about the song’s meaning raise a smile.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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