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 What readers are saying The conversation explores the complexities and controversies surrounding a rancher's decision to sell shares of his cattle herd, which led to regulatory scrutiny. — Abby Shalekbriski, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026 The ad is made completely with AI and shows Shapiro touting his biggest controversies as governor. — Josh Taylor, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Despite the controversies and indictments, the league still views legalized sports gambling, and now prediction markets, as its best option. — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2026 The Kleins are a commentary YouTube and podcasting family who have managed to be at the center of several controversies and friendship breakups over the years. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2026 But Lago’s primary rivalry has been with Castro, who has weathered her own controversies in recent months. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 During her four-year term on the Gardena City Council that ended this year, Love was at the center of several controversies. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Outside of the criminal charges, Peters has been at the center of many controversies, including allegedly shooting a dead alligator in Florida. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026 While the show is beloved, its legacy has also been marred with a series of tragedies and controversies, both on and off screen. — Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controversies

Noun

China’s expanding naval capabilities could alter regional military calculations, particularly in areas where maritime disputes and competing territorial claims already exist.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
With first-party fraud and friendly disputes eroding already thin retail margins, managing chargebacks requires far more than basic operational recovery.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of disputes

Noun

This contestation takes place through philosophical debates, religious disputations, and public discussions, whether direct or indirect, open or clandestine.

— Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of disputations

Noun

But deep disagreements over territory and security guarantees that re-emerged this week underscore obstacles to ending the war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Both blame each other for the fiery fights, with Lago saying that disagreements between commissioners used to be more civil before Castro and Commissioner Ariel Fernandez were elected in 2023.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of disagreements

Noun

There's also plenty of debates and discussions, and that's what leads us here today.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Her worldwide museum experience had taught her the foibles of museums and academia, but her sense of humor and common sense settled some sticky situations while moving (the museum) as a center for socially transformative debates.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of debates

Noun

The overtones of social significance are adroitly handled and make real sense in an era of tragic international quarrels.

— THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
Unlike Christian priests and medicine men, who generally command respect, rainmakers are sometimes seen as malicious people who retaliate against whole communities for quarrels with their neighbors.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of quarrels

Noun

Doing so enhances the slight color differences in these rocks, allowing researchers to pick out the different minerals.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 2 Nov. 2026
There are, of course, obvious differences between soldiers and agents, for whom a readiness to kill on behalf of the state is generally understood to be a more distant prospect.

— Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of differences

Noun

Parks workers who don't comply with the new policy could face discipline, officials said, adding, the policy also instructs them to not engage in any verbal or physical altercations with ICE agents.

— Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Other witnesses, including friends of Smith and Parker, recalled past altercations between the couple.

— Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of altercations

Noun

The defendant’s attorney asked for the hearing for the judge to listen to arguments and determine whether to set bail for Guzman.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Oral arguments Several of the conservative justices repeatedly raised concerns that the nondiscrimination rule was effectively a back-door way to keep religious entities out of the universal preschool program.

— Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of arguments

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“Controversies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controversies. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of controversies

noun

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